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Denver Broncos quarterbacks activated from reserve/COVID-19 list

Denver Broncos forced to play practice squad receiver Kendall Hinton at quarterback for 31-3 defeat to New Orleans Saints on Sunday; Hinton threw one of nine for 13 yards and two interceptions against Saints

Last Updated: 02/12/20 7:21am

Denver's starting quarterback Drew Lock can return to practice on Wednesday

Quarterbacks Drew Lock, Brett Rypien and Blake Bortles will be allowed to re-join their team-mates at practice on Wednesday after the Denver Broncos activated them from the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Their return means practice squad receiver Kendall Hinton will not have to be the one taking the snaps against the Kansas City Chiefs (10-1) next weekend as he did in Denver's 31-3 loss to New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

The Broncos (4-7) were forced to play the Saints without any of their quarterbacks after Lock, Rypien and Bortles were deemed high-risk close contacts, having been mask-less around quarterback Jeff Driskel before he tested positive for coronavirus.

Kendall Hinton threw one of nine for 13 yards and two interceptions against New Orleans

The NFL denied Denver's request to push the Saints game back 48 hours, which would have allowed their QBs to return to action.

Lock, Rypien and Bortles were removed from the reserve/COVID-19 list after testing negative on Tuesday for a fifth consecutive day.

Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio said he was disappointed that his quarterbacks' actions put his team and the NFL into a difficult position over coronavirus protocols.

Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio said he was disappointed that his quarterbacks' actions put his team and the NFL into a difficult position over coronavirus protocols.

Lock and Rypien return to the Broncos active roster, while Bortles returns to the practice squad.

Denver coach Vic Fangio said on Monday that the Broncos would discuss isolating Bortles in case another quarterback issue arises, but he stressed the team should be fine if players follow the league's COVID-19 protocols.

A look back at the action and talking points from Week 12 of the NFL season.

A look back at the action and talking points from Week 12 of the NFL season.

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After an extraordinary week that saw one game postponed three times, one team left without a quarterback and one stadium declared off-limits for the rest of the season - all due to Covid-19 - the NFL somehow got through Week 12.

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