Lock misses practice, Rypien might get second career start

Drew Lock’s bruised ribs prevented him from practicing Wednesday when the Denver Broncos installed their game plan for Miami with backup Brett Rypien running their patchwork offense.

Joining Lock on the sideline was Denver's leading receiver, tight end Noah Fant, who also has sore ribs.

The pair's status is uncertain for Sunday when the reeling Broncos (3-6) host the surging Dolphins (6-3), who have won three in a row under rookie QB Tua Tagovailoa.

If Fant can’t go, the Broncos would be down to one healthy tight end in Nick Vannett with Jake Butt (hamstring), Albert Okwuegbunam (knee), Andrew Beck (hamstring) and Austin Fort (knee) all on injured reserve.

If Lock can’t go, Rypien would get his second career start.

Rypien led the Broncos past the New York Jets 37-28 in Week 4 despite throwing three interceptions.

“I thought he handled the situation good; I didn’t think he felt any pressure, or the moment was too big for him,” Fangio said of Rypien's first career start last month. “I thought he went out there and executed the offense, and I would expect that he would benefit from that if he is to play this week.”

Lock was hurt in the first half on a blindside tackle by Raiders pass rusher Arden Key, although he stayed in and finished the game. X-rays the following day revealed no fractured ribs but Fangio said the second-year QB was in considerable pain, putting his availability this week into question.

Fangio said Wednesday that Lock had “made good progress” in the 48 hours since and “we’ll see how much he continues to make throughout the week.”

The Broncos, who have been hit hard by injuries and COVID-19 this season, are taking Lock’s latest injury in stride.

“It’s no different on my part,” wide receiver Tim Patrick said. “I had good games with both of them. It’s just my job as a receiver is to make the quarterback look good. That’s how I look at it, so whoever’s out there, if the ball comes my way, my job is to make a play on it.”

Patrick caught six passes from Rypien for a career-high 113 yards against the Jets, then had 101 yards on four receptions in Denver’s next game, at New England, when Lock returned from a strained right shoulder.

Patrick was ejected in the fourth quarter Sunday for throwing a punch at Johnathan Abram, the Raiders’ talkative safety.

Asked Wednesday about the skirmish, Patrick said, "You've seen the video. You know the type of guy he is. It just didn't play out in my favor. That's it.”

Lock has thrown 10 interceptions in four games since his return and seems to have regressed from last year, when he won four of his five starts with former offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello.

Now coordinated by Pat Shurmur, Denver’s offense leads the league with 21 turnovers, including an NFL-high 16 interceptions by three different quarterbacks.

“We talked about (ball security) today, especially playing the Dolphins, who excel in that area of taking it away on defense,” Fangio said. “So, this will be a very important week for us to take care of the ball. We haven’t done a good job of that in several games this season and it’s come back to hurt us.”

Also Wednesday, linebacker Alexander Johnson revealed on a Zoom call that Broncos defensive coordinator Ed Donatell was hospitalized last week from complications of COVID-19.

“Obviously, when your defensive coordinator is down and out of commission it’s tough,” Johnson said. “I know he was in the hospital and stuff so I’m definitely sending my prayers up. We’re definitely missing him, just his morale and the energy that he has being at practice and always preaching on working on takeaways and stuff like that. So, definitely notice a difference not having him out here.”

Patrick Smyth, the Broncos’ chief communications officer, subsequently tweeted, “Ed Donatell is at home recovering after being taken to the hospital last week for COVID-19-related symptoms. Ed is feeling much better, starting to participate in virtual mtgs & doing light physical activity. Ed is grateful for the support & looks forward to rejoining the team!”

Donatell has missed three games. He began quarantining prior to the Broncos’ game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Nov. 1.

Panthers say McCaffrey not expected to play against Lions

Panthers coach Matt Rhule said running back Christian McCaffrey is expected to miss Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions, a big blow for a Carolina team that is looking to snap a five-game losing streak.

Rhule said he also expects left tackle Russell Okung (calf) and cornerback Donte Jackson (toe) to miss Sunday’s game, while quarterback Teddy Bridgewater's status remains unclear after he was limited in practice on Wednesday.

While Rhule said he expects McCaffrey will play again this season, he doesn't know when. He said the 2019 All-Pro's return is largely up to his doctors on when the running back is cleared medically to return.

“No one knows their body better than Christian,” Rhule said.

It will be the second straight game McCaffrey has missed because of a shoulder injury and the eighth game he’s sat out this season. He injured his shoulder in Carolina’s Week 9 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs after being tackled late in the fourth quarter That came after McCaffrey missed six games with a high ankle sprain.

McCaffrey has been effective when he’s played, averaging 124.7 yards from scrimmage and scoring six touchdowns.

Mike Davis will get the start for McCaffrey. Davis has totaled 675 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns in 2020 but hasn't been as effective in his past four starts for the Panthers.

Carolina's QB situations remains less clear.

Bridgewater wore a protective red jersey on at practice Wednesday after injuring his knee in Carolina's 46-23 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday. P.J. Walker and Will Grier, who have been rotating as the No. 2 quarterback this season, split reps with the first team in practice.

“If Teddy can’t go, this will give us real clarity on who the No. 2 should be,″ Rhule said.

Bridgewater did not speak to reporters on Wednesday.

Burrow says ankle is OK after injuring it at Steelers

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow said he's not having any trouble with the minor ankle injury he suffered last week and expects to start in Washington on Sunday.

Burrow said he “rolled his ankle” when Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree gave the scrambling rookie a little extra shove after chasing him out of bounds near the end of the first half. The push knocked Burrow off balance, and he tumbled into the Cincinnati bench before limping back onto the field.

Dupree wasn't penalized, despite the protestations of Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor. Burrow was limping again later in the game but didn't miss a snap in the 36-10 loss.

“No, I'm good to go,” Burrow said Wednesday when asked if there were any residual effects.

The Bengals (2-6-1) travel to play Washington (2-7) where Burrow will be trying to stay out of the way of rookie defensive end Chase Young, who was Burrow's former teammate at Ohio State and the No. 2 overall draft pick behind the quarterback last spring.

The Bengals, whose offensive line and secondary have been plagued with injuries, appeared to be getting a little healthier overall this week.

Taylor said he expected cornerbacks LeShaun Sims and Mackensie Alexander — both recovering from concussions — and offensive tackles Bobby Hart (knee) and Jonah Williams (neck) to be active at practice this week, but whether any of them will play Sunday remains to be seen.

Running back Joe Mixon, who has missed the past three games with a foot injury, is making progress but remains day to day, Taylor said.

49ers claim McKinley off waivers, place Kinlaw on COVID list

The San Francisco 49ers have claimed defensive lineman Takk McKinley off waivers from the Cincinnati Bengals.

The team also placed defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw on the COVID-19 list Wednesday. Defensive lineman Arik Armstead went on the list earlier this week after a positive test and the team was conducting contact tracing to determine if anyone else needed to go on it as well.

The Niners tried to claim McKinley last week after he was waived by Atlanta, but the Bengals beat them out. McKinley failed his physical in Cincinnati and San Francisco ended up with him anyway. He can join the team once he completes COVID-19 protocols and passes a physical.

McKinley was a first-round pick by the Falcons in 2016. He had 17 1/2 sacks, two passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 49 career games. He had one sack in four games this season.

The 49ers have a bye this week and return to play on Nov. 29 against the Los Angeles Rams.