Denver Broncos Won’t Have Any QBs on Roster Sunday Because of COVID-19

Jeff Driskel, Drew Lock, Brett Rypien, and Blake Bortles are all ineligible to play against the Saints.

Nov 28, 2020
This is a photo of Broncos.
Getty

Image via Getty/Sean M. Haffey

This is a photo of Broncos.
Getty

Image via Getty/Sean M. Haffey

The Denver Broncos will reportedly have zero quarterbacks when they head into Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints.

ESPN's Adam Schefter announced the news Saturday night, just hours after the Broncos' QBs were dismissed from practice due to coronavirus concerns. The publication previously reported that Drew Lock and Brett Rypien, as well as practice squad QB Blake Bortles were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list because they were exposed to backup QB Jeff Driskel, who tested positive for the virus on Thursday.

"None were wearing masks at the time of exposure," a source told Schefter about the Broncos QBs.

All the QBs on the Broncos' roster are ineligible to play Sunday against the Saints after being deemed high-risk, close contacts, sources tell ESPN.

None were wearing masks at the time of exposure, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 28, 2020

Sources also say the Broncos have no intention of forfeiting Sunday's game.

Broncos will not be forfeiting, per source.

Short of luring GM John Elway out of retirement, it sets up as the most unexpected NFL scene of 2020. Broncos have no QBs for a game against the Saints. https://t.co/ig4knEI9vQ

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 28, 2020

The most 2020 scene of all: Denver's QBs were deemed high-risk, close contacts because they were not wearing their masks. The Broncos will hit the field Sunday against the Saints without a quarterback.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 28, 2020

Here's how Denver got wiped out at the QB position in a 72-hour span:

QB Jeff Driskel tested positive for COVID on Thursday.

Drew Lock, Brett Rypien and Blake Bortles did not wear masks, per a source, and were deemed high-risk close contacts today. They now are out Sunday.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 28, 2020

Broncos linebacker Von Miller and wide receiver Jerry Davarus Jeudy jokingly suggested they would step up and fill the QB position this Sunday.

pic.twitter.com/o1vxXTUsIw

— Von Miller (@VonMiller) November 28, 2020

Guess ima have to get my Lamar Jackson on

— Jerry Jeudy⁴ (@jerryjeudy) November 28, 2020

However, 9 News' Mike Klis reports third-string running back Royce Freeman may be the starting QB against the Saints.

Per source: Broncos game vs. Saints is still on, but all 3 QBs in real trouble. Lock/Rypien/Bortles may not been cleared for game. More coming. RB Royce Freeman may be up as starting QB. #9sports

— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) November 28, 2020

Stay tuned as more information about Sunday's game becomes available.

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