Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos QB Drew Lock apologizes for not following COVID-19 protocols

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 11/29/20

Practice squad wide receiver Kendall Hinton started Sunday's game for the Denver Broncos at quarterback due to unforeseen circumstances.

Backup quarterback Jeff Driskel tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, while Drew Lock, Brett Rypien and Blake Bortles were deemed high-risk based on close contact with Driskel and were ineligible to play against the New Orleans Saints.

As Hinton was going through warmups at Empower Field, Lock, Denver's starting quarterback, apologized to fans for violating the NFL's COVID-19 protocols.

pic.twitter.com/B36Jxr3VHf
— Drew Lock (@DrewLock23) November 29, 2020

Lock's apology comes after it was reported that the Broncos quarterbacks were not being cooperative with contact tracing. They could be facing discipline, and the team and players could be fined and Denver might end up losing a draft pick for protocol violations.

Lock, Rypien and Bortles reportedly aren't showing any symptoms and have tested negative since they were last in contact with Driskel on Wednesday.

The Broncos initially requested that their matchup against the Saints be moved to Monday night so at least one of their quarterbacks could be available, but the NFL denied the petition.

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