ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — As the Broncos continue to evaluate who will start at quarterback for Sunday's matchup with the Chargers, they have made rookie quarterback Drew Lock available after activating him from injured reserve on Saturday.
In a corresponding move, they waived quarterback Brett Rypien, who has served as the Broncos' backup quarterback since the team placed Joe Flacco on injured reserve after Week 8 with a neck injury.
Lock had been on injured reserve since suffering a thumb injury during an Aug. 19 preseason game against the 49ers. As one of two players the Broncos designated for a possible return from injured reserve, Lock began practicing again prior to the Broncos' Week 11 game vs. the Vikings.
In the wake of significant offensive woes in a 20-3 loss to the Bills, the Broncos began ramping up Lock's practice reps on Wednesday. Head Coach Vic Fangio said on Wednesday that Lock would get 75 percent of the offensive snaps.
"Good," Fangio said on Friday when asked about how Lock performed throughout the week of practice. "I think he's made progress each and every day. When you go from getting basically 10 out of 40 or 42 reps to getting 32 out of 42 [reps] three days in a row, you should get a little better and feel a little more comfortable. I think he has."
But Fangio said whether Lock or Brandon Allen will start on Sunday could be decided as late as Saturday. Allen has started the last three games for the Broncos.
"I just want a chance to go ahead and look at the tape more extensively," Fangio said after Friday's practice.
For his part, Lock said Wednesday that the timing of the ultimate decision won't affect him.
"I'm prepping to be a starter," Lock said. "If that happens, then that happens. If it doesn't, then it doesn't. I'll be ready either way, to either help Brandon out this week or hopefully have Brandon help me out."
The Broncos also now have an open spot on their 10-man practice squad, as offensive lineman Corey Levin was signed to the Bears' active roster.
Take a look inside the Broncos' practice preparation for their Week 13 game against the Chargers.
Von Miller at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 29, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Chris Harris Jr. warms up before practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 29, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Drew Lock warms up before practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 29, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Alexander Johnson at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 29, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
The offensive line (including Corey Levin, Ja'Wuan James, Elijah Wilkinson, Ron Leary, Connor McGovern, Jake Rodgers, Calvin Anderson and Quinn Bailey) at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 29, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Shelby Harris and Mike Purcell at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 29, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Phillip Lindsay at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 29, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Drew Lock throws a pass at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 29, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Tim Patrick at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 29, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Drew Lock at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 29, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Kareem Jackson at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 29, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Will Parks at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 29, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Von Miller at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 29, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Drew Lock at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 29, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Brandon Allen at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 29, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
DaeSean Hamilton at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 29, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Von Miller talks with Head Coach Vic Fangio at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 29, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Pro Football Hall of Famers James Lofton and John Elway at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 29, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Juwann Winfree makes a one-handed catch at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 29, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Royce Freeman at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 29, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Elijah Wilkinson at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 29, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Von Miller at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 29, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Brett Rypien, Brandon Allen and Drew Lock pose for a photo before practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 28, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Tyvis Powell at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 28, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Derek Wolfe at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 28, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Drew Lock shares a laugh with Phillip Lindsay at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 28, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Kareem Jackson stretches at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 28, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Brandon Allen at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 28, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Ja'Wuan James poses for a photo before practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 28, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Diontae Spencer stretches at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 28, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Simmons poses for a photo at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 28, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Players and coaches (including Garett Bolles, Andrew Beck, Brett Rypien, Dalton Risner, DaeSean Hamilton and Ja'Wuan James) exit the team huddle at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 28, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Drew Lock at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 28, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Courtland Sutton at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 28, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Dalton Risner and Noah Fant at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 28, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Isaac Yiadom at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 28, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Josh Watson at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 28, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Courtland Sutton and Justin Simmons at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 28, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Tim Patrick at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 28, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Drew Lock at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 28, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Phillip Lindsay at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 28, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Drew Lock throws to Courtland Sutton at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 28, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Joe Jones at practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 28, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
President and CEO Joe Ellis speaks to the team after practice at UCHealth Training Center on November 28, 2019. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Todd Davis action during practice at UCHealth Training Center in Centennial, CO, November 27, 2019. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Ja'Wuan James action during practice at UCHealth Training Center in Centennial, CO, November 27, 2019. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Kelvin McKnight action during practice at UCHealth Training Center in Centennial, CO, November 27, 2019. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Phillip Lindsay action during practice at UCHealth Training Center in Centennial, CO, November 27, 2019. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Courtland Sutton action during practice at UCHealth Training Center in Centennial, CO, November 27, 2019. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Khalfani Muhammad action during practice at UCHealth Training Center in Centennial, CO, November 27, 2019. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Devontae Booker action during practice at UCHealth Training Center in Centennial, CO, November 27, 2019. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Drew Lock action during practice at UCHealth Training Center in Centennial, CO, November 27, 2019. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Justin Hollins and Jeremiah Attaochu action during practice at UCHealth Training Center in Centennial, CO, November 27, 2019. Photo by Gabriel Christus
DaeSean Hamilton action during practice at UCHealth Training Center in Centennial, CO, November 27, 2019. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Josh Watson action during practice at UCHealth Training Center in Centennial, CO, November 27, 2019. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Vic Fangio action during practice at UCHealth Training Center in Centennial, CO, November 27, 2019. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Joe Jones action during practice at UCHealth Training Center in Centennial, CO, November 27, 2019. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Justin Simmons action during practice at UCHealth Training Center in Centennial, CO, November 27, 2019. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Shakial Taylor action during practice at UCHealth Training Center in Centennial, CO, November 27, 2019. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Andrew Beck action during practice at UCHealth Training Center in Centennial, CO, November 27, 2019. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Drew Lock action during practice at UCHealth Training Center in Centennial, CO, November 27, 2019. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Ron Leary action during practice at UCHealth Training Center in Centennial, CO, November 27, 2019. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Jake Rodgers action during practice at UCHealth Training Center in Centennial, CO, November 27, 2019. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Phillip Lindsay action during practice at UCHealth Training Center in Centennial, CO, November 27, 2019. Photo by Gabriel Christus
