Denver Broncos’ P.J. Locke opens up about his 40-hour RV road trip to play in Week 15

By Andrew Buller-Russ

·Updated: December 23, 2023

What would you do to play in an NFL game? Chances are, unlike Denver Broncos safety P.J. Locke, you’re not an NFL player. Yet, as a former undrafted defender out of Texas, Locke knows how tough it is to get a chance to fulfill his dream.

After all, Locke sat and waited while 254 other players had their names called over the three-day 2019 NFL Draft before getting an offer from the Pittsburgh Steelers as a free agent. Locke’s time in Pittsburgh didn’t last long, after being let go during final roster cuts during his rookie year.

But Locke did put enough on film to get noticed by the Broncos, who signed him to the practice squad roughly four months later, creating new hope at a second chance.

Locke was cut from an NFL roster twice before getting his first chance to play in a regular season game, well over a year after he left college for the pros. But Locke only played 16 snaps on special teams in his Week 1 debut with the Broncos in 2020.

Two weeks later, Locke saw his first two snaps on defense, and he recorded his first NFL stat, a solo tackle. He only saw four more defensive snaps all season.

Then, in 2021, Locke’s playing time increased, but not by much, where he finished with 27 snaps while playing in 17 of 18 games, mostly on special teams. In 2022, Locke’s playing time continued to increase, including a big role on defense for their Week 10 matchup against Tennessee, where he saw 49 defensive snaps. Locke recorded three tackles, a pass deflection, and forced a fumble, his second of the season. For the season, Locke’s playing time nearly quadrupled, with him playing 111 snaps on defense, but this was still peanuts compared to what starters play.

However, now, with Locke five years removed from college, he’s in the midst of his best season yet. Finally given a larger role on defense, Locke has started five games for the Broncos.

P.J. Locke’s stats this season: 34 tackles (2 TFL), 4 PD, 1 INT, 2 FF, 3 sacks

But he nearly didn’t get a chance to make his fifth career start this past Saturday against the Detroit Lions due to a medical issue.

P.J. Locke recalls over 40-hour RV road trip ahead of Week 15

While helping defeat the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 14, Locke was injured during a tackle on running back Austin Ekeler. In the process, Locke experienced soreness in his chest, which only worsened after the Broncos’ flight home to Denver.

After experiencing shortness in breath and “some chest pains,” Locke checked himself into the ER for further testing.

“I went to the ER for some tests and they let me go home later that night and I went to see a specialist like on Monday and Tuesday after the Chargers game. But they started giving me tests, iodine test, they checked my lungs. We came back with all the results and [the doctor] said ‘all of it looks fine, but I recommend you do not fly,’ so I didn’t.”
Denver Broncos safety P.J. Locke

But the Broncos’ next game called for another road trip. This time, to Detroit to take on the ferocious Lions. However, as noted, doctors told Locke he shouldn’t be on any airplanes, complicating his duties as an NFL player who needs to hit the road for his next matchup.

Yet, the doctor’s orders didn’t prevent Locke from doing what he loved, so he came up with a plan of his own.

“The doctor said I shouldn’t fly, so I said let’s gas it up,” Locke said after practice Friday. “It definitely wasn’t ideal, but I chose to do it, prime time, we’re fighting to finish strong. But it was a lot of movies, game film, a little sleep and a long ride.”

In doing so, Locke had to spend over 40 hours in an RV traveling to and from Detroit. And it’s not like he only played a bit role either, Locke saw 56 snaps on defense and five more on special teams. While the Broncos didn’t get the win, we’re guessing Locke is just happy to be done with such a lengthy adventure.