Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch is expected to miss “a couple” regular season contests while dealing with a shoulder sprain, head coach Vance Joseph told reporters, including Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post (Twitter links).
If Lynch is sidelined for the early portion of the season, the Broncos would be forced to turn to 2017 undrafted rookie Kyle Sloter to act as Trevor Siemian‘s backup. The only other quarterback currently on the Denver roster is rookie Chad Kelly, who is on the non-football injury list. Kelly is expected to spend his first NFL season on injured reserve, so he isn’t an option to serve as a No. 2 quarterback.
If they aren’t comfortable rolling with Sloter as their only reserve signal-caller, the Broncos could look to the free agent market in search of another quarterback. Colin Kaepernick, whom Denver was interested in prior to the 2016 campaign, stands out as an obvious solution, and Joseph said “every option will be considered” when questioned specifically about Kaepernick, per Jhabvala. Other free agent passers include Christian Ponder (who spent time with the Broncos in 2015), Robert Griffin III, Shaun Hill, Zach Mettenberger, and Bruce Gradkowski.
Lynch, a first-round selection in 2016, lost Denver’s starting quarterback job to Siemian through his performance in training camp and the preseason. Given that he’s only set to miss a few games, Lynch probably isn’t a candidate for injured reserve/designated to return unless his injury worsens. Instead, the Broncos will be forced to carry at least three quarterbacks (Siemian, Lynch, and a backup) while Lynch recovers.
Heard that Chad Kelly is on the non football injury list for the year due to a nasty curve he received when he attempted to slide into mia khalifa’s DMs
What?
Pretty much a lock that Kap won’t be the guy…he refused to rework his contract for a trade to Denver before last season.
“Shoulder sprain” is code for learn the playbook superstar !!!