Just a day after he passionately criticized the team's coaching staff for overly-conservative decision-making, the Denver Broncos announced that quarterback Joe Flacco will be out for the team's Week 9 game against the Cleveland Browns. According to multiple reports, Flacco has a herniated disc in his neck and will be re-evaluated during the bye week, at which point it is possible that he could be placed on injured reserve.

Related players: Brandon Allen, Drew Lock

Allen will make the start in Week 9 the story said, but it's possible Lock could step in when he comes off IR later this season.

There were all kinds of Broncos players grimacing as they put on their shirts and shoes Sunday. Royce Freeman (shoulder), Joe Flacco (neck), Jeff Heuerman (knee), Todd Davis (knee), Ja'Wuan James (knee).

Related players: Phillip Lindsay, Noah Fant

Freeman's shoulder injury isn't supposed to be serious according to reports but with the struggles this season there is no reason to rush him back.

Heuerman is dealing with a knee injury which could open the door for Fant. As TE is always a position that's a struggle at some point during the fantasy season, this is certainly news to pay attention to.

Broncos boss John Elway told reporters last night that rookie quarterback Drew Lock would be placed on injured reserve today because of his preseason thumb injury. That will keep him from practicing for at least six weeks and out of at least eight games, so they’ll have to find a backup for Joe Flacco since they released Kevin Hogan yesterday.

Elway also said that tight end Jake Butt and running back Theo Riddick would join Lock on injured reserve today, giving them three roster spots to add, in addition to any shuffling they may want to do with waiver claims.

The Broncos will need a backup to Flacco. Lock's season isn't lost the team said. He'll be able to do everything other than be on the football field, so the team expects him to learn the offense and understand what's going on.

Beat reporter Mike Kilis tweets, "Barring the unexpected, it appears coveted free agent RB Theo Riddick will sign with the Broncos later this week, per source. Saints were also in on Riddick and several other teams called on former Lion. Appears Elway about to give Joe Flacco a new weapon."

Theo Riddick joins the Broncos for the 2019 season and is the only running back to catch 50 or more passes over the last four seasons and will help a thin Broncos receiving core. There are multiple reports of Phillip Lindsay seeing more work as a receiver this year and this signing likely dampens that receiving upside, but only to a degree. Riddick's presence could possibly push Devontae Booker off the team as well.

Quarterback Joe Flacco said that WR Courtland Sutton taking first and second team reps benefits him.

“He’s a guy that learns with a lot of reps and once he gets those reps, he never makes the same mistakes again and he has a really good feel for how to do things,” Flacco said. “That’s really the bottom line with him. You’ve just got to get him out there, get him the reps and let him build his confidence from there.”

The story said that Sutton’s dud of an opening practice feels like a month ago and he has rebounded to be mostly steady. Sutton is in a good spot to get noticed as Emmanuel Sanders (Achilles tendon) and DaeSean Hamilton (hamstring) battle injuries.

When the Denver Broncos open training camp Thursday, the team may do so without second-round draft picks Dalton Risner and Drew Lock, KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis first reported Tuesday. The news has since been confirmed by multiple media outlets.

Risner, who is projected to be the starting left guard this season, was selected 41st overall, one pick before Lock at No. 42. Being that he was a higher selection, Risner wants to be paid more than Lock.

Lock, a quarterback, wants more guaranteed money than his new teammate because QBs are usually among the highest-paid positions in the NFL. That’s also fair, but it’s debatable if it’s worth holding out over.

Related players: Joe Flacco

While Flacco is likely the starter, Lock will obviously miss key time in camp if he's not there. He's expected to be the backup QB this season with Kevin Hogan and Brett Rypien the only other QBs on the roster. Rookies are to report Wednesday.

The Baltimore Ravens have an agreement in principle to trade former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco to the Denver Broncos, league sources told ESPN on Wednesday.

Albert Breer reported that the Broncos will send a fourth rounder for Flacco. Flacco's best fantasy finish was back in 2010, when he finished No. 11. He had back-to-back No. 14 finishes in 2011 and 2012, but he has finished No. 19 or worse in four of the last five seasons (from 2013 to 2017). He's a competent quarterback, so compared to Case Keenum, Flacco is probably a wash for Emmanuel Sanders and Courtland Sutton. The Broncos may use an early draft pick on a rookie quarterback as well.

Among the veteran QBs USA Today predicts to be available to change teams for the 2019 season are: Nick Foles, Joe Flacco, Teddy Bridgewater, Eli Manning and Ryan Tannehill, while rookies like Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Dwayne Haskins and Kyler Murray could make impacts as well.

The story went on to list where the author feels they would all be perfect fits for the 2019 season. The new NFL league year doesn't begin until March 13 with the start of free agency, but, it never hurts the dedicated fantasy player to start scouting before that. The story added five teams brought in first-round passers in 2018, but there's obviously always a need for a quarterback, and all the players listed above could have fantasy impacts.

John Harbaugh on Joe Flacco: “Joe can still play... Joe’s going to have a market, a lot of teams are going to want Joe. ... Joe Flacco is a great talent, he’s a better person, he’s the best QB in the history of the Ravens... he’s going to be just fine.”

Related players: Lamar Jackson

Jackson struggled most of the game before almost rallying the Ravens in the fourth quarter. But the team never made the switch to Flacco, which was probably a telling sign before Harbaugh's comments after the game. There are certainly some teams who could give Flacco a look heading into the 2019 season.