Broncos Rookie Drew Lock Reportedly Expected to Be Sidelined into Regular Season With Thumb Injury

The Denver Broncos were hoping to see Drew Lock take the field in their final two preseason games, but unfortunately for John Elway and Co, it looks as if their rookie quarterback may not be seeing game action for over a month.

According to Woody Paige, Lock suffered a "severely strained thumb" and is expected to miss six weeks, sidelining him into the regular season.

There was some initial concern that Lock had torn ligaments in his thumb, but he reportedly will not undergo surgery, thus putting those fears to rest.

Ryan O'Halloran reports that a hand doctor, Dr. Steven Shin, suggested that Lock would need to recover for 5-to-6 weeks before beginning to throw again, which would keep him out until October.

Lock's injury all but confirms that Joe Flacco will be starting under center for the Broncos in Week 1, not that there was really much debate in that regard.

The 2019 second-round pick was 7-for-12 prior to suffering the hand injury on Monday night. In his previous outing he threw for his first NFL touchdown, going 17-for-28 for 180 yards.