Quarterback Russell Wilson cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol on Friday but will not play Sunday against Arizona.
Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett said the decision to sit Wilson was made by a group that included the top levels of the organization.
“As an organization, we’ve decided to give him another week so that he’s ready to go for the Los Angeles Rams,” Hackett said in ruling Wilson out and looking ahead to a Christmas Day game next weekend. “Russ is one of the ultimate competitors in our game. He’s unbelievable. We informed him of the decision and he’s not happy with it. He wants to get out there and play. He’s competitive, as we all know, and wants to be out there.
“We, as an organization, after discussing and talking through this entire week, have decided itap best for our organization, best for Russell. We talked about this from the top all the way to the bottom, looked at every single thing.
In a brief gathering at his locker after practice, Wilson said he wanted to play and that he was planning to play.
“Went through all the testing, all the protocol stuff. Did a great job through it all, really flying colors, everything was great,” he said. “Got to practice this week, but they wanted to give me another week to recover and all that. For me, I always want to be out on the field. I believe in competing and being out on the field no matter what the circumstances are. I’m an old-school quarterback in that sense, that you have to be out there. At the same time, it was a collective decision by the organization. They wanted to let me get some extra rest.”
Wilson will not suit up Sunday. Brett Rypien will make his second start of the season in Wilson’s place and Jarrett Guarantano, signed earlier this month to the practice squad, will be the No. 2 quarterback.
Wilson was knocked out of Sunday’s loss to Kansas City and he appeared to briefly lose consciousness after he hit his head on the Empower Field ground.
Wilson steadily advanced through stages of the protocol early in the week. On Wednesday he was a non-participant in practice but did individual work and conditioning. Thursday he participated on a limited basis in practice, moving through another step. He participated fully in practice and cleared the protocol on Friday.
“I felt great all week,” Wilson said. “Obviously a concussion is a serious thing and you have to be able to deal with it and be really smart. The training staff and my performance team, everyone did a great job all week, making sure I was good to go. Triple-checking everything. Did a bunch of work early in the mornings, middle of the day, at night. Felt great. Got to practice Wednesday, Thursday and today. Did well in practice and felt good about it.”
Nonetheless, Rypien will make his second start of the season. He also started Week 7 against the New York Jets while Wilson was dealing with a hamstring injury. Hackett told the team the news Friday.
“Itap not exciting that Russell is injured and in recovery,” Rypien said. “But I know he’s doing better and I’m just excited for the opportunity. Always excited when you get to play. Itap such a blessing to be in this position. My only focus is to try to get a win on Sunday.”
“I think Ryp is going to be ready to rock and roll,” Wilson said. “Guys had a great week of practice. … These guys are special guys, man, and I just want to be out there competing with them, but I’m going to do everything I can in the game, on the sideline, in the locker room and everything else to make sure we get a win.”
Play-caller and quarterbacks coach Klint Kubiak told reporters Friday that he has full confidence in Rypien and that he doesn’t think Denver will be limited in any way.
“He’s a really bright guy and we’re excited for him and this opportunity,” Kubiak said. “He works as hard as anybody and he’s a good leader. When we found out he was playing, we didn’t change anything.
“We’re going to call the game, obviously play to his strengths and his teammates’ strengths as we adjust throughout the game.”
