Drew Lock, Several Other Broncos Players Have Come Down Sick

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — An illness swept through the Denver Broncos' locker room Friday, hitting among others, a trio of rising rookies -- quarterback Drew Lock, guard Dalton Risner and tight end Noah Fant.

Lock and Fant practiced but Risner was held out. If he can't play Sunday, he'll be replaced by first-year pro Patrick Morris.

Coach Vic Fangio said Risner, Fant and nose tackle Kyle Peko have been hit the hardest by the bug, "but there's a few other guys that have lighter stages of it."
Fant is also dealing with a sore shoulder.

"I didn't think he was going to practice today, but he was out there," Fangio said.
Lock was a full participant at Friday's practice and Fant was limited.

In all, there were a season-high 19 players listed on the injury report for the Broncos (5-9), who host the Detroit Lions (3-10-1) on Sunday. Several other players also were ill but didn't need treatment beyond over-the-counter medicine.

In addition to Lock, center Connor McGovern and right guard Austin Schlottmann came down sick Friday but still practiced. Two other O-linemen, Ja'Wuan James (knee) and Ronald Leary (concussion), were ruled out for the game.

Peko got sick Thursday but returned to practice Friday and is 50-50 for the game along with defensive ends DeMarcus Walker (ankle) and Dre'Mont Jones (ankle).

The Broncos lost defensive end Adam Gotsis to knee surgery this week and will place him on IR when they sign or promote another player this weekend.

By ARNIE STAPLETON AP Pro Football Writer

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