Drew Lock
The Broncos were all-in and committed to 2019 second-round QB Drew Lock as their starter this year after a strong finish to last season. However, the results have been mixed so far this year. Lock has flashed his talent but it’s been clouded too often by mistakes and inconsistency. Denver is 5-9 on the year and Lock has 14 touchdown passes to 13 interceptions. Still, Broncos GM John Elway sounded upbeat about Lock’s prospects.
“He’s gone through his reads better and dumped some things off and continued to use the experience to get better,” Elway said via Ben Swanson of the team’s official website. “Obviously, the inconsistency, that comes with being young, especially if you’re young and you’ve got young guys around you … like we do. It seems like when they all don’t play well, they do it together. Again, we’ve just got to work on the consistency. And I think that Drew’s had an up-and-down year, but we still like what we see in him and still think that he’s got a chance to be a very good quarterback in this league.”
The final two games will still offer valuable time for Lock to show he deserves another year as the starter.
“Drew’s got to continue to use these times as a valuable experience going into next year, the different coverages and the different looks he’s getting, to be able to come back and hopefully work on some consistency,” Elway said. “I think he’s showed that there’s some bright spots there, and he’s done a heck of a job in a lot of situations. But to be able to be good and be great in this league, you’ve got to play with consistency and eliminate the mistakes. That’s what we’re looking for out of Drew, is hopefully eliminate some of those mistakes and keep showing us the things that he can do.”
For his part, Lock is confident he has what it takes to be the Broncos’ quarterback of the future.
“Everyone is going to talk about it, everyone thinks they can play it better than what they’re seeing on TV. It’s an easy position for people to talk about and gossip about,” Lock said via Mike Klis of KUSA. “I’m looking forward to going out this week and making another claim that I should be the guy here and try to win these last two, and show what I can do and the decision is the decision. But I do believe I’m the guy here, and with progressing over time with this offense, we get another year in this same offense, the sky’s the limit for us.”
Chiefs
- Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill missed practice Wednesday with a hamstring injury but HC Andy Reid said it was just precautionary: “I think he’s going to be fine. I want to make sure that thing gets a rest here today, and then we’ll just see how it goes tomorrow. So, if he needs a rest tomorrow, we’ll rest him tomorrow.” (Herbie Teope)
- Chiefs LB Anthony Hitchens could return from the COVID-19 list in time to play Sunday given he was designated as a high-risk close contact. (Tom Pelissero)
- The Chiefs are hosting DL Tyler Clark for a visit. (Aaron Wilson)
Raiders
Raiders HC Jon Gruden said they will “be smart” with Derek Carr (groin) and will listen to the training staff when deciding on his availability going forward.
“He’s one of the premiere competitors in this league,” Gruden said, via Jerry McDonald of the Mercury News. “We emphasize the word finish, and he wants to finish the job. We’re going to be smart. We’ve got a training staff here, we listen to our players. We’ll do what we think is right for Derek. I do admire his toughness and his will to compete.”
Carr mentioned that he intends on being honest with the medical team and is confident they will make the “right decision” on when he’ll return.
“You can always trust me,” Carr said. “I think the best part of my game is my mind and that’s still working. I think the coaches and our trainers will make the right decision. I’ve been completely honest with them the whole time, and they’ve seen it first hand. I’ve been in here every day we’ve been allowed to to get treatment, and I want everybody watching me so they know exactly how I feel. We’ll see how it goes. If it’s up to me, I’m going to do everything I can to be on that field.”
Carr recalled the moment of his injury in Week 15, explaining that there was “nothing [he] could do” to prevent the issue after initially breaking into a sprint.
“Nothing I could do,” Carr said. “I went to sprint to the end zone, and it just went. I had to sit there and watch. My heart was ripped out of my chest.”
Carr added that if it was “up to me,” he’d play in Week 16’s game against the Dolphins on Saturday.
“If it’s up to me, I’m going to do everything I can to be on that field,” said Carr, via Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
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