Locke (thumb) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Panthers.
Locke logged consecutive DNPs to end the week, and he will miss his first game of the regular season due to a thumb injury. With Locke sidelined, Devon Key and JL Skinner are the top two candidates to draw the start at strong safety alongside free safety Brandon Jones.
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Broncos' P.J. Locke: Unlikely to play vs. Carolina
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Locke (thumb) did not practice Friday and is listed as doubtful ahead of Sunday's game against the Panthers, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.
Locke opened the week as a limited practice participant due to a thumb injury, but he ended the week with back-to-back DNPs and appears unlikely to play Sunday. If he's indeed inactive, Devon Key would have the slight edge over JL Skinner to start at strong safety alongside free safety Brandon Jones, though Ja'Quan McMillian could also see an uptick in snaps as the nickel corner.
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Broncos' P.J. Locke: Double-digit stops in Week 4
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Locke logged 10 total tackles (eight solo), including 1.0 sacks, during Sunday's 10-9 win over the Jets.
The Texas product was all over the field during Denver's Week 4 win, leading the team in total tackles while also being one of six Broncos to bring down Aaron Rodgers. Locke has now accumulated 21 total tackles, including 1.0 sacks, and defended one pass across the Broncos' first four contests. He's projected to continue making plays in Denver's secondary as the season progresses.
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Broncos' P.J. Locke: Records nine stops in Week 16 loss
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Locke totaled nine tackles (five solo) Sunday in a loss to New England.
Locked play all 56 of Denver's defensive snaps Sunday and recorded a season-high nine stops. Kareem Jackson completed his four-game suspension ahead of the contest, but the Broncos chose not to activate him and then elected to waive him Monday. That should lock Locke into a starting safety role alongside Justin Simmons for the remainder of the campaign.
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Broncos' P.J. Locke: Third straight game with sack
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Locke had seven tackles (two solo), including one sack, and a forced fumble in Sunday's 24-7 victory over the Chargers.
With Kareem Jackson still serving his suspension, Locke was able to register seven-plus tackles and a sack for the third straight game, and his 66 defensive snaps was the most he's played this season. He got a strip sack on backup quarterback Easton Stick late in the fourth quarter, which teammate Josey Jewell recovered. Over his last three games, Locke has 22 tackles (13 solo), including three sacks, two pass deflections and two forced fumbles.
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Broncos' P.J. Locke: Productive against Browns
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Locke recorded seven tackles (five solo), one sack, one pass defended and one forced fumble in Sunday's 29-12 win over the Browns.
Locke's seven total tackles were a season-high, and his sack and forced fumble were both firsts for him in the 2023 campaign. The veteran safety saw increased playing time with Kareem Jackson out for the game due to a suspension. With Jackson's suspension continuing for the next three games, Locke should continue to operate as Denver's starting strong safety. The 26-year-old will look to build off this momentum when the Broncos visit the Texans in Week 13.
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Broncos' P.J. Locke: Active Sunday
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Locke (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Browns.
The safety should get a chance to start with Kareem Jackson out for the next four games due to a suspension. Locke missed the team's Week 11 win over the Vikings after hurting his ankle the previous week against the Bills. The fourth-year pro has eight tackles, a pass defensed and an interception in 2023.
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Broncos' P.J. Locke: Iffy for Week 12
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Locke (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns.
Locke was able to upgrade to a full participant for Friday's practice, which indicates that he's on track to make his return after sitting out Week 11. If Locke plays, he'll likely slot back in as the starting strong safety with Kareem Jackson out for the next four games while serving a suspension for violating player safety rules.
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Broncos' P.J. Locke: Limited Thursday
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Locke (ankle) was a limited participant at Thursday's practice, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
Locke is in danger of missing two straight games after injuring his ankle in Week 10. More clarity on his status heading into Week 12 will come with Friday's injury report.
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Broncos' P.J. Locke: Role to increase
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Locke is expected to start at safety the next two game while Kareem Jackson (suspension) is sidelined, Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com reports.
Locke has suited up for the Broncos' three previous games, but never surpassed more than 23 percent of the defensive snaps. The 23 percent of snaps came in Denver's 19-17 win over the Packers in Week 7 after Jackson was disqualified from the game. Locke recorded three tackles (one solo) in the contest. Look for him to see a regular starting workload against the Chiefs and Bills over the next two games.
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Broncos' P.J. Locke: Activated Saturday
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Locke (leg) was activated from injured reserve Saturday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Locke was carted off the field during training camp with a leg injury, and it seems as if he's since had enough time to move past the issue. The 26-year-old's snap share on defense has increased each of the three years he's been in the NFL, but he's played primarily on special teams for Denver.
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Broncos' P.J. Locke: Headed to IR
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The Broncos placed Locke (leg) on injured reserve Thursday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.
Locke was carted off the practice field on Aug. 15 with a lower leg injury. He'll now be required to miss the first four games of the 2023 season.
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Broncos' P.J. Locke: Injury considered minor
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Coach Sean Payton said Locke (leg) is "going to be fine" after leaving Tuesday's practice, Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com reports.
Locke was carted off the field Tuesday but appears to have avoided a serious injury. He's a key reserve on the back end of the defense and a mainstay on special teams.
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Broncos' P.J. Locke: Stays in Denver
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Locke re-signed with the Broncos on Thursday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.
Locke was non-tendered by the Broncos in restricted free agency, but he still returned to the team on a new deal. Entering his fourth season in the NFL, Locke has served primarily on special teams and as depth in the secondary. He had his best statistical season in 2022, posting 22 total tackles, one pass defended and two forced fumbles.
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Broncos' P.J. Locke: Not on injury report
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Locke (ankle) is not listed on the Broncos' injury report ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale against the Chargers.
Locke injured his ankle in Week 17, but it looks like the issue is not serious enough to keep him sidelined. Look for him to take on his usual role providing depth in the secondary assuming he avoids any setbacks.
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Broncos' P.J. Locke: Exits versus Kansas City
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Locke is questionable to return to Sunday's game versus the Chiefs with an ankle injury.
Locke did not log a defensive statistic before going down and having to be tended to on the field late in the fourth quarter, according to Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site. With the 25-year-old sidelined, Denver will be left with three available safeties for the time being.
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Broncos' P.J. Locke: Starting chance awaits
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Locke is expected to start at safety in Sunday's game against the Titans, Benjamin Allbright of KOA 850 AM Denver reports.
With Caden Sterns (hip) on injured reserve and Justin Simmons (knee) listed as questionable for the Week 10 contest but in line to sit out, Locke and Kareem Jackson are expected to form Denver's starting safety tandem. Locke hasn't played more than 22 percent of the Broncos' defensive snaps in any of his seven appearances this season, but he'll be in store for a big uptick in playing time Sunday.
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Broncos' P.J. Locke: Remains in protocols
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Locke (concussion) will not play Thursday against the Colts, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
Locke has still not been cleared through concussion protocols after suffering one Sunday against the Raiders. His absence leaves only Delarrin Turner-Yell behind starters Kareem Jackson and Caden Sterns at the safety positions.
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Broncos' PJ Locke: Back from COVID list
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Locke (undisclosed) was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Sunday.
Locke landed on the COVID list last week and will rejoin the active roster ahead of Week 15. The 24-year-old should fill a reserve role in the secondary now that he's cleared to play.
