Paxton Lynch will start his second NFL game Sunday when the Denver Broncos travel to face the Jacksonville Jaguars. Trevor Siemian, who’s dealing with a foot injury, was not at practice again Friday, and he’s not going to play in the upcoming game.
BREAKING: @Broncos announce QB Trevor Siemian will officially not play against the Jags this Sunday. pic.twitter.com/a1RDJ8P3hq
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) December 2, 2016
This development comes at the worst possible time, with Siemian coming off the best game of his season since Week 3 in the team’s overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Lynch was called into duty earlier this year when Siemian injured his shoulder against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4. The rookie quarterback finished that game and started the next against the Atlanta Falcons, completing 62.7 percent of his passes with 393 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in his limited action.
Denver might do well to lean on running back Devontae Booker in this game against Jacksonville, which features the NFL’s No. 24-ranked rush defense. Lynch must be on his best behavior in the passing game against the Jaguars, who are adept at shutting down opposing aerial attacks.
The Broncos need a win after dropping two of their last three and falling behind the Oakland Raiders and Chiefs in the AFC West. If the playoffs started today, the Broncos would actually be on the outside looking in as the No. 7 seed.