Report: Broncos rookie QB Drew Lock to resume throwing next week

Drew Lock is working toward a return to the playing field off of injured reserve.

The Denver Broncos made a questionable decision to place rookie QB Drew Lock on injured reserve to open the season. Lock sprained his throwing thumb in the Broncos' third preseason game (out of five). 

On the day of final roster cut-downs, which came on August 31, GM John Elway told us that Lock's injury would be a 6-8 week proposition. If that was the case, going on short-term IR would make sense, so that Denver could preserve and use Lock's roster spot. 

However, a new report from Ryan Koenigsberg of BSN Denver says the rookie second-round signal-caller is expected to resume throwing next week. 

Per source, Broncos rookie Drew Lock will begin throwing again next week.

Lock could return to practice in Week 7 and—if the Broncos elect to bring him off of IR—could return to the lineup in Week 9.

— RK (@RyanKoenigsberg) September 17, 2019

It's good news to hear that the pain is gone for Lock and he can get back to slinging the rock with that whip of a right arm. But why didn't the Broncos just show some patience, knowing that he could potentially be throwing again in time for Week 4? 

Now, Lock's injury will cost him twice as much time because the Broncos chose to place him on IR. As Koenigsberg aptly points out, Lock can return to the practice field during Week 7's preparation and be activated off IR for Week 9, with eight full games under the Broncos' belt. 

I understand that Lock wouldn't be playing right now, nor would he be playing next week for the Broncos, just because he'll be throwing again. Joe Flacco is the entrenched starter, but every game the Broncos lose the closer the team gets to handing the reins over to the rookie to see what he can do.

If this team is bound for a sub-.500 finish again and they don't get some insight on seeing Drew Lock play against first-team defenses and get him some live-bullet experience, it will truly be a lost season. 

Lock clearly established himself as the No. 2 QB in training camp and preseason. He was building clear momentum before he injured that thumb on a freak play. 

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Joe Flacco thus far has been average, though he hasn't been bad. He hasn't been able to spark this Broncos offense, which has averaged a measly 15 points per game. 

While there's no guarantee Drew Lock could do better, the farther the Broncos get into this season without Flacco coming away with wins, the more sense it'll make to throw the rookie in there and see what he can do. 

A QB with more athleticism and ability to improvise and throw off-platform would be ideal for Rich Scangarello's scheme. A big arm wouldn't hurt either. Sounds a lot like Drew Lock. 

Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadNJensen and @MileHighHuddle.