ARLINGTON, Texas — The Broncos announced this morning that back-up quarterback Drew Lock will not be available for today’s game against the Dallas Cowboys due to COVID-19 protocols.
The team made the announcement around 7:45 a.m. local time.
According to a league source, Lock reported to the Broncos that he was a close contact to somebody outside the organization who tested positive. Lock tested negative on Saturday and was thus allowed to fly on the team charter. His transportation from Texas to Denver was being arranged.
Lock, whose only playing time this year was the second half of the Week 4 loss against Baltimore, will be replaced by Brett Rypien. This will be Lock’s second career game that is COVID-19-related; he was ruled ineligible by the NFL last November for the Broncos’ game against New Orleans when it was determined he violated protocols.
Lock is the third player to be ruled out — tight end Noah Fant and guard Netane Muti remain on the COVID-19/reserve list following positive test. Muti will his second consecutive game and Fant his first.
Rypien will be active for the first time this year. He started the season on the practice squad before the Broncos promoted him to the active roster when another team was interested in signing him. His only regular season action was last year — the final drive of the loss to Tampa Bay and he started and won the following game over the New York Jets.
