Lock's right thumb received medical clearance "about two weeks" ago, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Since landing on IR with a sprained thumb during the preseason, Lock has been in recovery mode and hasn't gotten clearance to return to practice, the latter of which would open a 21-day evaluation period before his activation to the 53-man roster. With Joe Flacco tending to a potentially season-ending neck injury, the Broncos have turned to Brandon Allen to direct the offense, but Lock eventually may join the mix once he returns to the field. It's unclear if that'll be this week or later on this season, but practice squad member Brett Rypien likely will be called up to back up Allen while Lock gets up to speed.

Coach Vic Fangio said Monday that Lock's sprained right thumb has healed, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports. Fangio wouldn't disclose whether Lock would resume practicing this week.

EDGE Analysis

Among their 10 players on injured reserve, the Broncos are considering multiple candidates for their two "designated-to-return" spots. GM John Elway already has suggested that one of those spots will be reserved for receiver Tim Patrick (hand), so the team may want to evaluate Lock for a little longer before deciding whether to commit the other spot to him. Lock's potential return from IR took on greater import Monday, when Fangio revealed that top quarterback Joe Flacco (neck) was dealing with a disc issue that could require season-ending surgery. Fangio has already named Brandon Allen the starter for Sunday's game against the Browns, so Lock -- if he practices this week -- could be activated right away and slot in as the backup. Practice squad quarterback Brett Rypien is another candidate to be added to the 53-man roster.

President John Elway said Lock (thumb) "is not ready to go right now" and there's a chance he remains on injured reserve, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic report.

EDGE Analysis

Lock was eligible to resume practicing this week and was present on the practice field, but he remained a non-participant. Elway continues to stress wanting to avoid rushing back the rookie quarterback before he's ready, which may also have to do with the Broncos' sub-par situation on offense in addition to the thumb sprain that put him on IR. Regardless, it doesn't appear as though Lock's return to the practice field will occur in the immediate future.

Lock (thumb) has been present at practice, but as a non-participant, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

This contradicts reports from last week that Lock was set to return to practice. It is unclear if he has suffered a setback or if the team is just continuing to exercise caution with its rookie second-round pick. He has been on IR since the season kicked off and will be eligible to be officially activated as early as Week 9. His status will need to be monitored going forward.

Lock (thumb) is expected to begin practicing next week, Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lock has been on injured reserve since the start of the regular season after suffering a severe thumb sprain on his throwing hand in the preseason, but he's closing in on a potential return. The rookie second-round pick can be officially activated as early as Week 9, but there should be a better idea of a potential return date once he actual retakes the practice field. According to Troy Renck of Denver 7 News, Theo Riddick (shoulder), Jake Butt (knee), and Tim Patrick (hand) are all on IR and will also resume practicing next week, but the team will only be able to bring back two of the players.

Lock (thumb) has been throwing for the past two weeks and is "ahead of schedule" in his rehab program, Kyle Newman of The Denver Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

After being placed on injured reserve following the conclusion of the preseason, Lock is eligible to begin practicing this week. Even if he does get in some on-field reps with the rest of the team, Lock's real test in practice won't come until Week 8, as the Broncos will face a quick turnaround for a Thursday night matchup with the Chiefs in Week 7. The Broncos can bring Lock back from IR as early as Week 9, but there's no guarantee the rookie will see any meaningful action this season, especially if starter Joe Flacco continues to keep Denver reasonably competitive.

Lock said Friday that he's progressing well in his recovery from a severe right thumb sprain and is healing on schedule, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lock acknowledged that he has resumed "throwing a little bit" -- the first meaningful step in an eventual return to practice. Since the Broncos placed him on injured reserve at the conclusion of the preseason, Lock isn't eligible to start practicing with the team until Week 7 and can't be activated from IR until Week 9.

Lock (thumb) is expected to begin throwing again next week, Ryan Koenigsberg of the Broncos' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lock will be eligible to practice in Week 6 and -- if the team elects to have him back -- could return to the active roster in Week 8. If the rookie second-round pick returns to the roster, he would very likely steal the backup job from Brandon Allen and could even see some snaps as the starter depending on how the team and Joe Flacco are playing at that point.

Lock (thumb) has replaced his hard cast with a removable brace, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Since Lock is on injured reserve, he still won't be able to return to the lineup until Week 8. It appears Lock is on the right track if the Broncos choose to bring him back, but that's still not guaranteed. They have backup Brandon Allen, who has zero career passing attempts in three years, on the roster, and it also depends on how Joe Flacco is playing at the time. If Flacco and the Broncos are struggling, however, the team may want to try out their rookie second-round pick under center.

Former Rams quarterback Brandon Allen will serve as Denver's No. 2 quarterback with Lock (thumb) being placed on injured reserve, Troy Renck of ABC 7 Denver reports.

EDGE Analysis

It is worth noting that Allen, a third-year veteran, and Lock have exactly the same number of regular-season passes on their resumes -- zero. General manager John Elway and head coach Vic Fangio have both seemed open to keeping Lock on injured reserve the entire season, but that was before it was known who would come in as the No. 2. Though there is plenty of football to be played -- and injuries to be incurred -- before the Broncos decide who they will reactivate, bringing Lock back midway through the season to replace Allen makes more sense than activating the rookie to replace a more established backup such as Brian Hoyer.