KC Chiefs vs. Broncos: Drew Lock describes status of shoulder injury

DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 19: Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos walks off the field after throwing an incomplete pass during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field At Mile High on December 19, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 19: Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos walks off the field after throwing an incomplete pass during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field At Mile High on December 19, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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The Denver Broncos are already down their starting quarterback with their recent placement of Teddy Bridgewater on injured reserve this week before facing the Kansas City Chiefs at home. What makes this looming matchup even tougher is that backup quarterback Drew Lock is trying to get his throwing shoulder to heal as well.

Both the Chiefs and the Broncos are playing on Saturday on a shortened week made possible by the National Football League’s ability to flex games as they like late in the season. This gave Lock one less day to rest and rehabilitate his throwing shoulder after injuring it in the previous game in Week 17 against the Los Angeles Chargers.

For a brief stretch, Lock was forced to leave the team’s last game after being hit by Chargers pass rusher Joey Bosa. He returned to play some more, but the Broncos turned to Brett Rypien in his absence. Lock finished the game and says he’ll still be ready to go for the final game against Kansas City at Mile High.

"“It’s come a long way since Sunday when it happened and it will just keep progressing with our medical staff here and whatnot. I’ll be as close as I possibly can to 100% on Sunday.”"

Lock had a solid game statistically against the Chargers in a losing effort, completing 18 of 25 passes for 245 yards and 1 touchdown to go with zero interceptions and only 1 sack given up. With another solid effort, especially playing through injury, Lock can only hope he forces the Broncos to rethink their offseason approach at the position.

Lock is 8-12 in his short NFL career as a starter with Denver after being selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He has 25 passing touchdowns and 20 interceptions in that span, and the Broncos made it clear they were moving on from him as a starting option after last season when they brought in Teddy Bridgewater for some preseason competition.

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