Broncos' Lock could go on IR after spraining thumb

Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio said quarterback Drew Lock could be placed on injured reserve after the 2019 second-round pick injured his thumb in preseason action against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday.

Lock was diagnosed with a serious sprain in his right thumb after undergoing an MRI on Tuesday.

"Obviously because it's his throwing hand and a thumb, that's a pretty serious injury for a quarterback," Fangio said, according to ESPN's Jeff Legwold. "It will be some time before we know exactly where he's at and how much time he would miss."

Asked about the possibility of placing Lock on the injured reserve, Fangio added: "Yeah, it could be if we don't think he can play for a while. The bad thing about it is because of the injury he can't do much."

If the Missouri product is placed on IR with a designation to return, he'd miss the first eight weeks of the regular season.

With the 22-year-old sidelined, Kevin Hogan and Brett Rypien will compete for the backup role behind Joe Flacco.

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