Broncos promote QB Brett Rypien to active roster to avoid losing him

The Denver Broncos began the 2021 NFL season with three consecutive victories thanks largely to the solid play of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who won a close summer competition versus 2019 draft pick Drew Lock for the starting gig. 

Even with two reliable signal-callers on the roster, Denver didn't want to lose practice-squad option Brett Rypien. 

According to Mike Klis of Denver's 9News, the Broncos promoted Rypien from the practice squad to the active roster because an AFC team was interested in acquiring the 25-year-old. In a corresponding roster move, Denver placed linebacker Jonas Griffith on injured reserve with a hamstring problem. 

A player on IR must miss a minimum of three games per league rules. 

It's an unusual decision, as Denver now has Rypien beneath both Bridgewater and Lock on the depth chart when the extra roster spot could instead be used on somebody more likely to see the field. In three appearances last season, Rypien completed 27-of-40 passes for 295 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions.

Per ESPN stats, meanwhile, Bridgewater holds the league's second-highest completion percentage (76.8%) and is third with a 77.8 total QBR. 

Denver hosts the 2-1 Baltimore Ravens this coming Sunday.