If Broncos rookie quarterback Paxton Lynch has to start Sunday at Jacksonville, Lynch told reporters Wednesday that he will be “a lot more comfortable out there than I was the first time.”
Usual starter Trevor Siemian didn’t practice Wednesday due to a sprained left foot. Both Siemian and Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said they consider Siemian “day-to-day” as he rehabs and even hinted Siemian could play without practicing Sunday at Jacksonville, if necessary.
Lynch replaced Siemian Oct. 2 at Tampa Bay and started the following week in a 23-16 loss to the Falcons. Lynch was 23-of-35 passing for 223 yards, one touchdown and one interception in his start. He was sacked six times.
Lynch, the No. 26 pick in the 2016 draft, got the No. 1 reps at practice Wednesday and said he’ll “be ready” if called upon.
"[I feel] more confident than when the season started,” Lynch said, per the team’s official transcript. “Getting a chance to get those scout team reps against the defense every day definitely makes you better and everybody else around you better, too. I’ve been taking those reps seriously and I think that it has helped me.”
Kubiak said Wednesday that the Broncos have extended practices in recent weeks to make sure Lynch and some of the team’s other young players get reps in case they’re called upon during the stretch run.
“I think Paxton has been making some good progress,” Kubiak said. “He practiced well today. We tried to rep a little bit more today and we did our extended work as well. He’s doing well. He’s making his progress.”