Drew Lock set to return, but Broncos' top playmakers are out

Drew Lock might be back, but he will have fewer weapons to throw to vs. the Pats. Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Drew Lock set to return, but Broncos offense to be without top players

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 10/17/20

Starting quarterback Drew Lock is set to return for the Denver Broncos on Sunday against the New England Patriots. While that is a good sign for the Denver offense, Vic Fangio's squad will be missing some of Lock's top targets, and the offense could suffer because of it.

The Broncos officially ruled out tight end Noah Fant and running back Melvin Gordon for Sunday's matchup. Denver will also be without wide receivers K.J. Hamler and Courtland Sutton.

Noah Fant & Melvin Gordon III have been downgraded to OUT for #DENvsNE.

» https://t.co/wYwhkQI5C3 pic.twitter.com/qGRzQWMjCM
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 17, 2020

Gordon was diagnosed with strep throat, so his absence is not injury-related.

Fant, meanwhile, suffered an ankle injury in the second half of the Broncos' Oct. 1 game against the New York Jets and did not practice last week.

Hamler is dealing with a hamstring injury and has played just three games this season, while Sutton is out for the year after tearing his ACL in his first game of the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

More must-reads: