AFC Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Raiders

Broncos

• KUSA’s Mike Klis says it’s not out of the question QB Blake Bortles could be active as the backup this week for the Broncos despite not getting in the building until later this week. 
• NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero notes Bortles’ one-year deal is for the league minimum and Denver will give QB Jeff Driskel the first crack as the starter as they signed him for $2.5 million guaranteed this offseason. 

Chargers

Chargers’ HC Anthony Lynn addressed the quarterback situation and is still planning to forge ahead with QB Tyrod Taylor when he is healthy, despite a strong performance from rookie QB Justin Herbert in his absence.

“Don’t get me wrong, I thought what Justin did, I thought he came in and gave us a chance to win,” Lynn said, per Kalyn Kahler. “But there is a lot you don’t know and there is a lot we didn’t get done with Justin on the field yesterday. He is a backup for a reason. He is a rookie and there is a lot he needs to learn about this game. Tyrod is a veteran guy, I have had him before. I know what to expect from him and what he is going to get done. If Tyrod can’t go and we have to go with Justin, I am perfectly content with that. I know we can win with either quarterback, but the veteran quarterback right now gives us the best chance to win. And it’s not like we won the damn game yesterday. We lost, last time I checked.”

• Lynn added Taylor is doing well and is at home recovering from his injury: “If Tyrod Taylor is 100 percent, he’s our quarterback.” (Gilbert Manzano)
• Chargers’ RT Bryan Bulaga got good news on his MRI which revealed the ligaments in his injured knee are intact. Lynn says Bulaga is day-to-day with a bone bruise. (Tom Pelissero)

Raiders

There haven’t been many starting quarterbacks who’d had to endure more open doubt of their status than Raiders QB Derek Carr. It hasn’t just been created by the media, the Raiders have looked hard at all the top quarterbacks in the draft the past two years and made QB Marcus Mariota a $7.5 million priority in free agency. But through two games in 2020, Carr has tightened his grip on the starting job with a 4-0 touchdown to interception ratio and a 2-0 record, including a 31-17 win against the Saints on Monday night. 

“This guy’s a great quarterback,” Raiders HC Jon Gruden said via the team website. “We’re surrounding him with better players. And once our defense I think starts playing to their potential, he can even be better. He does so much with the ball and without the ball and behind the scenes that I think Raiders fans should really be proud of him, and I know I am.”

• Raiders S Johnathan Abram is undergoing more tests on his shoulder after an X-ray was negative. Abram injured his labrum in that shoulder and missed most of his rookie year but was able to return Monday night. (Tom Pelissero)
• Raiders G Richie Incognito avoided an Achilles tear despite leaving Monday night’s game with an injury. He’s been managing the issue since camp. (Pelissero)