Denver Broncos

Free-agent quarterback Blake Bortles has signed with the Denver Broncos, the team announced Thursday.

He will provide depth after starter Drew Lock suffered a rotator cuff strain in Week 2. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported he will be out two to six weeks.

Jeff Driskel is the only other healthy quarterback on the roster and is expected to start in Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"It's Jeff's [job] right now," head coach Vic Fangio said. "That's the way we're proceeding and anticipating going right now."

Bortles, 28, spent the first five seasons of his career as the starting quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars, throwing for 17,646 yards, 103 touchdowns and 75 interceptions while completing 59.3 percent of his passes. He also rushed for 281 yards and eight scores. 

And while he led the Jaguars to the AFC Championship Game in the 2017 postseason, his tenure in Jacksonville was rocky, as the team was just 24-49 on his watch.

The Jaguars cut him in March 2019 after signing Nick Foles—who has since been traded to the Chicago Bears—and Bortles joined the Los Angeles Rams as Jared Goff's backup. He threw just two passes last season.  

His history as a starter made him an intriguing target for teams seeking a quality backup, or even a short-term starter. Barring a major turnaround, however, Bortles' days as a franchise signall-caller seem over. 

But the Broncos will be happy to add solid depth to their quarterback room.

Free-agent quarterback Blake Bortles is reportedly signing a one-year contract with the Denver Broncos after starter Drew Lock suffered a shoulder injury that'll keep him sidelined at least three weeks, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network noted Bortles will make the league minimum.

Mike Klis of 9News reported Bortles is expected to sign with the Broncos after he clears COVID-19 protocols Friday, when he could officially join the team. Klis also noted "it's not out of the question" that Bortles could serve as the backup to Jeff Driskel on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In March 2019, Michael Silver of NFL Network reported Denver and the Baltimore Ravens were among the teams to consider Bortles before he signed with the Los Angeles Rams.

The 28-year-old Florida native attempted just two passes across three relief appearances for the Rams last season while serving as the backup to Jared Goff.

Bortles spent the prior five seasons as the starter for the Jacksonville Jaguars, who drafted him third overall in 2014. He posted a mediocre 80.6 passer rating with 103 passing touchdowns and 75 interceptions in 75 games (73 starts). He added 1,775 rushing yards and eight scores on the ground.

After the UCF product signed with the Rams, he told reporters he understood his role but aimed to regain the status he had in Jacksonville.

"I also expect to be a starter in this league again, and I know it's not going to be here in L.A," Bortles said. "So I'm trying to just better myself. ... And if I get an opportunity to play, great. If not, then I spent a year learning from [Sean] McVay, and being around a really good organization."

Jeff Driskel is expected to take over the Broncos offense in Lock's absence. He completed 18 of 34 attempts for 256 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in relief during Sunday's 26-21 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The backup role is unsettled. Denver has Brett Rypien, a second-year signal-caller who didn't attempt a pass last season, on the practice squad.

Bortles is in line to give the Broncos a more experienced option behind Driskel.

Denver (0-2) is back in action Sunday when it welcomes Tom Brady and the Bucs (1-1) to Empower Field at Mile High for a Week 3 clash.

Even after an injury to starting quarterback Drew Lock, the Denver Broncos aren't considering free-agent Colin Kaepernick as a potential fill-in. 

"His name hasn't come up in the brief discussions I've had with John [Elway] to this point," head coach Vic Fangio said Monday, per Field Yates of ESPN.

Lock suffered a strained rotator cuff that will keep him out for at least two weeks, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Fangio predicted the second-year quarterback will be out three to five weeks, via Andrew Mason of DNVR Sports.

Jeff Driskel filled in for the starter in Sunday's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and will presumably run the offense until Lock returns.

Kaepernick hasn't played in the NFL since 2016, a season where he consistently kneeled during the national anthem as a protest against racial injustice.

Broncos president of football operations John Elway previously was interested in acquiring the quarterback in 2016, noting he "offered him a contract." Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Kaepernick would have had to waive $4.9 million in guaranteed money to complete a trade to the Broncos.

Fangio also has experience working with Kaepernick, serving as the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator during the quarterback's first four years in the NFL. Both of them played key roles in leading the squad to the Super Bowl in 2014.

While Kaepernick is going into his fourth season without a contract, commissioner Roger Goodell said this offseason he would "encourage" a team to sign him.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported there was only "fake" interest in the free agent and zero discussions about him signing with a team for the past few months.

The Denver Broncos offense got a heavy dose of bad news the past two days. Starting quarterback Drew Lock left Sunday's game with a sprained AC joint, per ESPN's Jeff Legwold and Adam Schefter, an injury that could keep him sidelined two to six weeks.

And, per multiple reports, wide receiver Courtland Sutton tore his ACL and is done for the season. 

These are tough injuries for a promising young team like the Broncos to endure. And it leaves fantasy players wondering how it will affect the team's other skill position players like running back Melvin Gordon, wideout Jerry Jeudy and tight end Noah Fant. 

Gordon shouldn't be too affected, though his workload might increase. He's clearly the top option in the run game after rushing 19 times for 70 yards against a tough Pittsburgh defense on Sunday, adding two receptions for 14 yards and a score. 

Granted, Phillip Lindsay hasn't played much this season with a toe injury. He's out another two to four weeks though. Even when he returns, Gordon will see plenty of snaps and carries. He'll stay locked in as an RB2. 

Jeudy is a more interesting case to consider. He's second on the team in receptions (eight) and receiving yards (118) and first in targets (15). Lock's injury hurts his fantasy forecast because Jeff Driskel isn't necessarily a strong backup. His career 58.7 completion percentage is not ideal, nor is 12 career touchdowns to seven interceptions or being sacked 33 times in 13 games. 

But with Sutton not in the lineup commanding more targets, Jeudy will be the top man outside. KJ Hamler could see some of the target share, but he seems best suited as a field-stretching deep threat and not a high-usage option. His snap percentage from Sunday is a bit concerning:

Still, his target share suggests Jeudy is the WR1 in Denver. That holds value, even if Driskel limits Jeudy's upside. Consider him a flex option best utilized in strong matchups. 

Fant, on the other hand, is locked in as a TE1. Solid tight ends are a bad quarterback's best friend, and Fant has been excellent to start the season, leading the team in receptions (nine), receiving yards (138) and receiving touchdowns (two) while currently second in targets (11). He's put up nice numbers against stout Tennessee and Pittsburgh defenses, too. 

Keep him locked in as your starting tight end. 

Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton has been placed on injured reserve and will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a "significant" knee injury during Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Mike Klis of 9News reported Sutton's injury is "more than an ACL."

The injury is the latest ailment for Sutton in 2020, as he missed Denver's Week 1 loss to the Tennessee Titans with a shoulder injury, which was the reason he was listed as questionable prior to Sunday's game.

Sutton exited in the third quarter of the 26-21 loss to the Steelers and did not return.

The third-year receiver had three receptions for 66 yards to lead the Broncos, who were without quarterback Drew Lock after he suffered a shoulder injury in the first half. Lock is expected to miss two to six weeks, per Adam Schefter and Jeff Legwold of ESPN.

Sutton, an SMU product, totaled more than 1,800 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns through his first two seasons in Denver. After tallying 1,112 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 72 receptions (124 targets), he was selected to the 2019 Pro Bowl.

Rookie Jerry Jeudy, who has eight catches for 118 yards this season, will likely be called upon more in the passing game, while tight end Noah Fant will remain a major factor as well.

Fant has a team-high 138 yards and two touchdowns after Denver's 0-2 start.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton was ruled out in the third quarter of the team's Week 2 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a knee injury and cramping, per Aric DiLalla of DenverBroncos.com.  

Before he left the game, the third-year receiver had three receptions for 66 yards to lead the Broncos, who were without quarterback Drew Lock, who suffered a shoulder injury and was ruled out in the first half.

Sutton also missed the team's Week 1 loss to the Titans with a shoulder injury suffered in practice, but NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that holding him back was a precaution.

The SMU product, who is the Broncos' top receiver on a depth chart also featuring DaeSean Hamilton and rookies Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler, has totaled more than 1,800 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns through his first two seasons in Denver. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2019 after amassing 1,112 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 72 receptions (124 targets). 

In Sutton's absence in Week 1, Noah Fant caught quarterback Lock's lone touchdown pass as part of his team-leading five receptions, totaling 81 yards. In his NFL debut, Jeudy reeled in four passes for a total of 56 yards.

Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock is expected to miss two to six weeks after exiting Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a sprained right AC joint, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter and Jeff Legwold.

Per Mike Klis of 9News, Lock will undergo an MRI on Monday, noting that "because it's his throwing arm, team may proceed cautiously."

Lock said after the game he was "optimistic" about the nature of injury, though he noted it "felt funny" while trying to throw with the injury:

Jeff Driskel entered in relief of Lock. Driskel went 18-of-34 for 256 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in a 26-21 loss.

Expectations are high for Lock this season after his promising finish in 2019. The Missouri alum threw for 1,020 yards, seven touchdowns, three interceptions and completed 64.1 percent of his attempts in five starts as a rookie.

The Broncos went 4-1 with Lock under center after going a combined 3-8 with Joe Flacco and Brandon Allen as their starting quarterbacks. 

Believing they have found their franchise quarterback, the Broncos took steps to surround him with explosive young talent. They selected Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy with the 15th overall pick in the 2020 draft to complement Courtland Sutton, who had 1,112 yards last year. 

Until Lock is able to return, Denver will turn to Driskel as its primary quarterback for the time being. The 27-year-old went 0-3 with four touchdowns and four interceptions in three starts for the Detroit Lions in 2019. 

The Broncos (0-2) will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1) next Sunday.

If the Denver Broncos are still playing meaningful games in December, they could get help in the form of a future Hall of Famer.

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported Von Miller has not ruled out a late-season return from an ankle injury that was originally thought to keep him out all of 2020. 

"It may be a longshot, but you never know with Von," a source said. "He is a freak athlete, and he is very focused on doing everything he can to get back in December."

Miller suffered a dislocated peroneal tendon during a Sept. 8 practice, an injury that usually comes with a four- to six-month recovery period. He's expected to remain in a boot for eight weeks before ramping up activity, and La Canfora reported there's another expected eight-week period of recovery after that.

The Broncos opened their season with a 16-14 loss to the Tennessee Titans, so the odds of them being around to play meaningful football in December took a hit in Week 1. If Denver is out of the playoff race, odds are Miller won't rush back this season. The Broncos have missed the playoffs the last four seasons, dating back to their Super Bowl 50 win.

If Miller misses all of 2020, it's possible he has played his last game in Denver. The Broncos have a $17.5 million option on his contract for next season, a hefty price for a 31-year-old coming off a major injury. Miller also had a down 2019 campaign, recording just eight sacks—the second-lowest total of his career.

Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio didn't call any timeouts during the Tennessee Titans' final drive on Monday night in the 16-14 loss, allowing them to run out nearly all of the clock before Stephen Gostkowski hit a game-winning, 25-yard field goal. 

On Tuesday, he took responsibility for the blunder. 

"I didn't think the 'ice the kicker' was worth it because he had been struggling anyway," Fangio said of Gostkowski, who missed three field goals and one extra-point attempt prior to converting, per Jeff Legwold of ESPN. "I did miss calling a timeout after the second-down play from the 29-yard line, when [Derrick] Henry got 13 yards down to our 16. I should have called timeout there; that was the one I missed."

The Henry run in question came with 1:33 left, and Tennessee bled the clock until just 49 seconds remained before running another snap. Denver could have used those 44 seconds elapsed to get into position for a game-winning field goal of its own. Instead, it received the ball with just 17 seconds remaining and only were able to run three plays. 

The Broncos had timeouts to spare, with all three remaining when Tennessee started its game-winning drive. 

"It was totally my fault there, I had too much thought there on what I was going to call on defense," the second-year head coach told reporters. "I missed it. ... All the coaches chip in on that, the offensive coaches when we're on defense ... [but] it was just my miss on that one, nobody else's."

Not surprisingly, Denver's clock management was a popular topic on Twitter after the game:

Fangio's clock management saved Gostkowski from being the game's primary storyline. It was a shocking performance from the four-time Pro Bowler and three-time champion, who had only signed with Tennessee on September 3. 

"You don't always get that lucky to get a chance to redeem yourself," the 15-year veteran told reporters. "But I'm just happy that the guys got to celebrate. I'm disappointed in myself and embarrassed and frustrated, but at the end of the day, we won, and luckily, guys are happy going home."

Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay was diagnosed with turf toe after he left Monday night's 16-14 home loss to the Tennessee Titans.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Broncos hope Lindsay's case is "mild," but his status is "in question."

Lindsay carried the ball seven times for 24 yards and made one catch for 11 yards before exiting the contest. Free-agent acquisition Melvin Gordon III took nearly all of the snaps at running back in the second half with Lindsay out.

Lindsay has been a revelation for the Broncos since they signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Colorado in 2018.

As a rookie, he started only eight of the 15 games he appeared in, but he still finished with 1,037 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground to go with 35 receptions for 241 yards and one score. The 26-year-old followed that with 1,011 rushing yards and seven rushing scores last season, as well as 35 grabs for 196 yards.

Despite Lindsay's success, the Broncos beefed up their backfield during the offseason by signing Gordon to a two-year, $16 million contract.

Gordon spent the first five years of his career with the Los Angeles Chargers. He reached the 1,000-yard rushing mark only once but scored 47 total touchdowns and was named to the Pro Bowl twice.

With Gordon leading the running game for much of Monday's game, the Broncos didn't seem to miss a beat. He finished with 78 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries, and he caught three passes for eight yards.

Gordon will be the clear bell-cow back if Lindsay misses time, while 2018 third-round pick Royce Freeman should slide into the backup role. Freeman had one carry and one reception in Monday's loss.

The Broncos will be back in action Sunday when they travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers in Week 2.