Team news: Indianapolis Colts | Page 35

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.

As the Vikings sort through candidates for their No. 3 receiver job, they can pick from a range of different skill sets: Rookie Dillon Mitchell and second-year man Jeff Badet bring more long speed to the group, while 2019 draft pick Bisi Johnson excelled with his quickness in college. Brandon Zylstra and Chad Beebe — when they’re healthy — provide a physical option and a smooth route-runner.

Before any of them makes a strong play for a bigger role in the Vikings offense, however, they’ll have to get a better handle on the basics.

Related players: Irv Smith, Kyle Rudolph, Jordan Taylor, Laquon Treadwell

The story summed it up well: It remains to be seen how much the Vikings will lean on a third receiver. They could make greater use of two-tight end sets this fall, with second-round pick Smith joining Rudolph, and spend less time with three receivers on the field. The Vikings will still need options beyond Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, though, and competition among their young players, as well as such veterans as Taylor and Treadwell, figures to continue through camp.

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 hope is that Jack Doyle be ready to go when camp opens and offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni said he’s looking forward to having Doyle back with Eric Ebron and Mo Alie-Cox at tight end.

“It’s exciting to know that he is making a full recovery from his hip, from his kidney and we are going to have the Jack Doyle that we had at the start last year,” Sirianni said, via the Anderson Herald-Bulletin.

Doyle injured his hip early in the season and missed five games before returning to the lineup. He played four more times before lacerating his kidney and winding up on injured reserve. We rank Ebron 9th and Doyle 14th heading into drafts.