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According to 9NEWS Denver's Mike Klis, rookie quarterback Paxton Lynch will be the Broncos number two quarterback tonight while veteran Mark Sanchez will be the number three quarterback.
No 2 QB for Broncos tonight is Paxton Lynch. Coaches comfortable they know what Mark Sanchez can do #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) August 27, 2016
We already knew that second-year quarterback Trevor Siemian would get the start tonight, but the order after him was not decided after Thursday's practice according to Head Coach Gary Kubiak. With that said, it was pretty obvious earlier in the week that Lynch would be the number two guy. He was receiving a bunch of first-team reps ahead of Sanchez while Siemian sat out with a sore shoulder.
Kubiak even praised Lynch's work with the first-team and scout team earlier this week.
“It definitely helps, but boy is it tough. The kid is out here today running the Rams’ offense and the Broncos’ offense. It’s very difficult. I shouldn’t say that because he’s going to know I said that. That’s what gives you a chance to get better. You have to wear a lot of hats if you’re going to play in the NFL and be a young player on a team. You have to come out here on a given day and do a lot of things. You have to work the other team’s stuff well and work your stuff well. That’s what he’s learning. Without Trevor practicing today, obviously his reps went up. That goes for a lot of guys, too.”
As for Sanchez, this is not a promising situation for him. He was the assumed starter heading into Training Camp, but 4 pick 6's, an interception against the Bears, and 2 lost fumbles against the 49ers have him third on the depth chart just an hour or so prior to the third preseason game.
It's possible the Broncos are holding Sanchez out to get the younger guys some work while and his roster spot is safe, but that doesn't appear to be the case. To me, it looks like both Siemian and Lynch have passed the turnover-prone Sanchez and the Broncos are moving on with those two options.
We'll see, but I think Sanchez's days in Denver are numbered.