Broncos news: Drew Lock's status with looming Patriots matchup over the horizon

The Broncos were unable to have Drew Lock available during their Week 4 victory over the Jets on Thursday night. What about the Patriots next?

The Denver Broncos were unable to have Drew Lock available during their Week 4 victory over the New York Jets on Thursday night. Despite Lock not being able to suit up in Week 4, he could have a chance to play versus the New England Patriots in Week 5, per Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports.

Drew Lock is “50-50” to play against the Patriots, per Fangio.

— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) October 2, 2020

Back in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Lock would endure a hard hit from Bud Dupree while escaping the pocket. The second-year quarterback would fumble the ball and would also sustain a shoulder injury as his shoulder was driven into the ground.

After undergoing tests, it was revealed that Lock had a sprained AC joint on his throwing shoulder. At the same time, Lock was given a timetable of two-to-six weeks to return by Denver's medical staff.

Even though it was Jeff Driskel who replaced Lock after his injury in Week 2 and in Week 3, it was Brett Rypien who replaced him in Week 4. Rypien, albeit it was against the lowly New York Jets, led the Broncos to their first win of the season on Thursday night.

In the game, Rypien flashed some positives under center, completing 19 of his 31 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns. However, the Boise State product also finished with three awful interceptions against a porous New York secondary.

Given the injuries that the Broncos are dealing with, it's going to be tough for them to compete in the AFC West — especially with the Kansas City Chiefs sitting atop the division. Even earning a playoff spot in the AFC in an extended format isn't going to be an easy task.

Therefore, despite Denver's optimism that Lock could return in Week 5 against the Patriots, throwing him out there before he's one-hundred percent seems counterproductive to the development of the former No. 42 overall pick.