AFC West Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs

Broncos

Broncos second-round rookie QB Drew Lock finally made his debut in Denver on Sunday after spending 2019 to this point on injured reserve. It went about as well as anyone could have hoped, as Lock completed 18-28 passes for 138 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in a 23-20 win against the Chargers. 

“I think it was a good start for him,” Broncos HC Vic Fangio said via the team’s website. “Did we light up the scoreboard? No. Did we get a ton of first downs? No. I think we only had 11 first downs or something like that. We got some short fields, which helped us get some points, but I think there’s promise there. I really do. I’m just not ready to put him in Canton yet. I think it was a great start for him, something that he can build upon because obviously we didn’t light up the scoreboard or have a ton of yards and first downs, but I think in many, many ways it’s probably a good way for him to start [because] of the fact that we got the win and there’s still a lot of room for improvement.”

• Fangio said the team will start Lock at quarterback next week. (Nicki Jhabvala)
• Fangio mentioned that OLB Von Miller was “close” to playing on Sunday and he’s “hopeful” Miller will be able to go next week but isn’t sure. (Jhabvala)
• Broncos DL Derek Wolfe said his dislocated elbow is a six to eight-week injury that doesn’t require surgery. If needed he could have come back for the playoffs, instead, Denver placed him on injured reserve Monday. (Mike Klis)
• Broncos OT Ja’Wuan James should be back for this week’s game, per Fangio: “We expect him to be ready to play this week.” (Jhabvala)

Chargers

• Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer says the Chargers have been surprised at how inaccurate QB Philip Rivers has been, which is partially why the team is considering inserting QB Tyrod Taylor in the lineup as they push for the playoffs. 

Chiefs

Chiefs HC Andy Reid said after Sunday’s game that veteran RB LeSean McCoy is fine physically, but they’re focused on managing his workload. 

“He did a nice job. He had productive runs today,” Reid said, via Pro Football Talk. “We’re not fooling anybody here, he’s not getting any younger, so it’s my responsibility to manage him as best I can, and I think I know him as well as anybody. So I’m going to do what I think is right on that. If it’s wrong then it’s my fault, so I’ll take that on my shoulders. I know he wants to play every play, and he loves to play.”

• Chiefs HC Andy Reid says there’s a good chance RB Darrel Williams (hamstring) doesn’t play next week against the Patriots. (James Palmer)