The NFL’s Denver Broncos confirmed Saturday night that quarterback Drew Lock, his backup and the team’s practice squad signal-killer have been disqualified for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints due to coronavirus concerns.
Broncons wide receiver Kendall Hinton, who played quarterback at Wake Forest in College Ledge, will handle the job as an emergency fill-in, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport quoted a source as saying on Twitter.
In addition to Lok, other ineligible players are backed up by Brett Ripian and practice squad veteran Black Bortels. The trio were considered high-risk Ga contacts contacts with No. 3 quarterback Jeff Driscall on Wednesday, a day before Driscall tested positive for COVID-19, a source told the Associated Press.
“The NFL / NFLPA protocols, which are mandatory for high-risk contacts for a five-day quarantine period, informed us by lease that in Sunday’s game against New Orleans, Lock, R.P.Pian. And Bortels would be ineligible to participate, “the Broncos wrote in a letter posted online.
“We will continue to work closely with the NFL whenever a positive COVID-19 case occurs, including sharing all available information in a complete and timely manner to ensure the safety of our team.”
The news came as the league and other sports organizations, like the rest of the world, continued to face the devastating virus, which infected more than 62 million people worldwide and killed more than 1.4 million people globally, according to Johns Hopkins University.
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Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers were considering their options Saturday night when a new protocol in Santa Clara County, Calif., Where the team plays home games, appeared to be unable to host games at Levi’s Stadium for the next few weeks, according to Fox Bay Area 2. .
The 49ers’ next two home games are scheduled for December 7 and 13, the station said, adding that the team did not immediately comment on its plans.
In a statement from the Broncos, the team wrote that Locke, Ripion, and Bortels all tested consistently negatively for the Covid-19, but the NFL identified them as “high-risk COVID-19 close contacts.”
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock throws a built-in touchdown pass against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, November 1, 2020, in Denver. (Associated Press)
All three left the team’s practice facility immediately after learning of the NFL’s decision, the team said.
The team’s statement does not mention Driscale.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a source told the AP that all four quarterbacks were apparently not wearing masks, as required by the league’s epidemic protocols.
Royce Freeman was being sidelined for a quarterback role with Hinton. Freeman was already considered an emergency quarterback, the APA reported.
News of the Broncos situation provoked an immediate reaction on social media, including the tight end of the Broncos to Noah Fent.
“Does anyone know that Payton Manning is busy tomorrow?” Fant wrote, referring to the retired former Broncos star. “Laugh too serious.”
Fante wrote in another message, “I’m not one to complain, but @NFL can’t send you all into the game without QB.” The most important position for crime. We didn’t even get that. A back up …. “
The Broncos also joked about the situation, asking the NBA’s Denver Nuggets if they could borrow a player.
After the positive test for the virus by DScale again on Friday kick kicker Deonti Spencer cleared the Broncos to practice on Thanksgiving Day after the NPL tested positive with two staffers. But coach Vic Fangio decided to close the building on Friday and the team held meetings from a distance.
L, K, Rpian and Bortels fell loose before Saturday’s short thrush practice when they were dragged off the field and sent home.
They will have to be isolated for a few days and continue to be tested negative for COVID-19 to return next week. Concerned about the Thanksgiving holiday, the NFL does not allow any teams to gather until Wednesday, players may have been infected.
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After learning about his dire situation in the quarterback, Frongio, general manager John Elway and the president and CEO of the team, Joe Ellis of the Broncos Brain Trust, spoke with NFL headquarters officials.
The league’s contact tracing protocols include the investigation, interview and review of electronic contact devices, and the league is engaged in investigating cases of coronavirus on multiple teams.
Denver enters Sunday’s game with a 4-6 record while the Saints are 8-2.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
