The Broncos’ struggling offense will be in for a bigger test next week. Joe Flacco suffered a neck injury and will miss the team’s Week 9 game against the Browns, Vic Fangio said (via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, on Twitter).
That will move backup Brandon Allen into Denver’s starting lineup. Acquired just before the start of the regular season, Allen has never taken a regular-season snap. Drew Lock is eligible to come off IR this week, but Allen will get the call.
Flacco’s injury could mean a multi-week absence, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Fangio said IR is a possibility for Denver’s starter; Flacco going on IR would effectively end his season. Flacco is dealing with a herniated disk, the team announced. This puts the remainder of the 12th-year passer’s season in jeopardy.
This injury is not expected to require surgery, per 9News’ Mike Klis, who adds Lock will either be brought off IR this week or practice squad passer Brett Rypien will be promoted (Twitter links). The Broncos’ healthy quarterback contingent collectively has zero NFL pass attempts.
Flacco missed time in 2015 and 2018 due to injuries, and the longtime Raven dealt with back discomfort in 2017. The Broncos sent a fourth-round pick to the Ravens in exchange for Flacco. They also restructured his deal in September, tethering the 34-year-old quarterback to the 2020 cap sheet. Previously, Flacco had no guaranteed money on his deal post-2019. Now, $13.6MM in dead-money charges would come if the veteran is cut next year.
Flacco was critical of the Broncos’ play-calling in their loss to the Colts on Sunday and has them at 2-6 — Denver’s worst record after eight games since 2010. Allen was a sixth-round Jaguars pick out of Arkansas in 2016. He spent parts of the past two seasons with the Rams, before coming to Denver as a waiver claim.
“Neck injury”, or the fact that Flacco rightfully ripped Fangio’s insane playcalling at the end?
I doubt Flacco sees another snap in Denver, which is probably best for everyone involved.
That would require the dead cap hit or giving somebody a pick to take him on as a backup.
You are a moron.
Oh look folks, Vic Fangio and/or his wife have joined the discussion.
$24 mil dead cap hit if I’m read Spotrac right.
13.6 next year 10.2 in 2021
Does this make Denver better?
By getting them a better draft pick next year
I think he had a mouth injury…
Who cares? It’s Joe Flacco. If he were a horse he’d be laying on a track waiting to be put out of his misery. I’ll never understand why Elway thought Sacco would be a good fit.
He wasn’t in a neck brace or other precautions during his ripping of the team. Smells funny. he certainly wasn’t on any prescriptions. His words were clear and poignant.
neck up injury somewhere between the brain and the mouth
“neck injury”. Ok if you say so. I don’t think Flacco plays again for them this year. I think they move to Drew Lock once he comes off IR. Honestly i just don’t think Flacco ever played again. At best he is a back up QB
Because Denver has better options?
Everyone has better options.
But NFL teams?
I don’t understand why everyone is shocked about Flacco. The man is a pocket passer. In 2012 he had a very good O line anchored by Matt Birk. As I see the problem in Denver is no O line. Flacco is what he is. He’s not a game changer highlight reel guy. Denver probably needs a next generation QB like Lamar Jackson.
Yup, but Elway will unlikely ever hire anybody like Lamar Jackson. He comes from an era where he’s seen too many Heisman QB’s retire after only a few years.
Denver’s losing ways has drawn him into considerable conservative waters. If they aren’t 6’5″ with big hands, they probably won’t see a Broncos uniform and are lucky considering the O Line weakness.
I’m surprised he let Sloter walk to Minnesota.
So your saying they have a chance?
I’m saying that Ironman_4life is a God!