DENVER -- Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater suffered a concussion in Sunday's 23-7 loss against the Baltimore Ravens. This was Denver's first game of the season.
Bridgewater, who took several major hits in the first half, including his last attempt to pass before halftime, was evaluated for concussion and officially ruled out of the third quarter.
Bridgewater must now go through the concussion protocol. He will need to complete several steps, including examinations from a third-party doctor in addition to team medical staff, before he can return to conditioning drills, non-contact position drills and finally to fully practice. Even if Bridgewater has no ill effects this week, it will take Bridgewater several days to complete the process before he can practice with his team.
"I just saw him- he says that he's improving as the day progresses," Vic Fangio, Broncos coach, said shortly after Sunday's game. "We'll watch.
Next Sunday, the Broncos will play at Pittsburgh
Bridgewater, who was consistently praised for his efforts on and off the field during the Broncos undefeated September, sustained the injury on the Broncos team's final play from scrimmage of the first half. Bridgewater was hit on a third-and-10 at the Broncos 17-yard line, with 53 seconds remaining in the half. Odafe Oweh, the Ravens linebacker, scored an incompletion.
Bridgewater had already taken several big hits in this game, including one that ripped his helmet off in quarter 1.
Garett Bolles, left tackle, said that he saw Teddy lying on the ground. He didn't look well. Drew Lock was warming up. ... It's my deepest love for Teddy, so I hope it's not too difficult. I spoke to him briefly.
Bridgewater was the league's leader in completion percentage at Sunday's game. Bridgewater's touchdown pass to Noah Fant in the second quarter gave him five touchdown passes this season without a turnover.
Due to injuries, the Broncos began backups at both of their guard positions against the Ravens. Quinn Meinerz (second-year player) and Netane Muti (second-year player) were on the right and on the left. Baltimore's defense held the heat for the majority of the day. Bridgewater was dismissed twice before his injury, and Lock was fired three times in the second period.
Fangio stated, "Protection involves a lot of people in that... It was a multifaceted operation and we had breakdowns across all the boards.
Lock claimed that Bridgewater was not going to be returning to the game shortly before the team left the locker area for the beginning of the third quarter. Lock completed 12-of-21 passes for 113 yards with an interception.
Bridgewater and Lock had been competing for the job of starting coach during the offseason and training camp. Fangio gave Bridgewater the starting job just before the season finale. He led the team's scoring drives and was a steady leader.
Lock was the Broncos starter in 2020. He finished last in league completion percentage. Lock was tied for the league's lead in interceptions.
