Aug 22, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Brett Rypien (11) throws a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings sign Brett Rypien, waive fellow QB Jaren Hall

The Minnesota Vikings signed Brett Rypien and waived fellow quarterback Jaren Hall on Thursday.

Rypien will be the third-string quarterback for the Vikings, behind Sam Darnold and Nick Mullens.

Rypien, 28, had signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears on March 13 before being released Wednesday.

Rypien has made four NFL starts since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2019 with the Denver Broncos. He has passed for 950 yards, four touchdowns and nine interceptions in 10 games.

Last season, Rypien started for the Rams in a 20-3 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 9. He was 13 of 28 for 130 yards and one interception and was released two days later.

He had brief stints with the Seattle Seahawks and New York Jets later in the season.

Rypien played college football at Boise State and holds the Mountain West career passing yardage record of 13,578. He is the nephew of Mark Rypien, who played 11 NFL seasons (1988-97, 2001) for five teams and was MVP of Super Bowl XXVI for Washington.

Hall, 26, completed 13 of 20 passes for 168 yards and an interception in three games (two starts) last season. He was selected by Minnesota in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of BYU.

The Vikings lost rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, their 2024 first-round draft pick (10th overall), to a season-ending knee injury in the preseason.

–Field Level Media

Dec 3, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) reacts on the sideline during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Jets turn to QB Zach Wilson to start vs. Texans

The New York Jets’ quarterback carousel took another turn Wednesday as head coach Robert Saleh announced Zach Wilson will start this weekend’s game against the visiting Houston Texans.

“Zach gives us our best chance to win,” Saleh said. “(We’re) giving him another opportunity to go prove that.”

Saleh said Wilson “was fired up” upon hearing the news. The coach also said the 24-year-old quarterback came into his office on Monday and told him he wanted the ball.

Wilson started nine straight games after Aaron Rodgers tore an Achilles tendon on the Jets’ first series of the season on Sept. 11. Wilson, however, was benched in favor of Tim Boyle for New York’s 34-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Nov. 24.

Boyle, in turn, was benched in favor of Trevor Siemian during last Sunday’s 13-8 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Boyle then was released Tuesday by the Jets (4-8), who signed fellow quarterback Brett Rypien off the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad.

Wilson has completed 59.2 percent of his passes for 1,944 yards, six TDs and seven interceptions this season. He owns an 11-20 record since being selected by the Jets with the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Rypien, 27, appeared in two games this season with the Los Angeles Rams, starting one. On the season, he’s 18-for-38 for 172 yards with an interception.

Following his sole start on Nov. 5, a 20-3 loss to the Green Bay Packers, Rypien was released by the Rams and later picked up by the Seahawks.

Also Wednesday, the Jets placed tight end C.J. Uzomah on injured reserve with a knee injury and activated TE Kenny Yeboah in a corresponding move.

Uzomah had eight catches for 58 yards and a TD in 12 games (eight starts) this season. He’ll have to miss at least four games.

Yeboah, 25, has not appeared in a game this season. He has two catches for 36 yards in 19 games (no starts) with the Jets in 2021 and 2022 while playing mostly on special teams. He slots in as TE3.

–Field Level Media

Dec 3, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Tim Boyle (7) drops back to pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Jets to release QB Tim Boyle, sign Brett Rypien

The New York Jets, in a continuing quest to solve their quarterback issue, are releasing Tim Boyle and signing Brett Rypien from the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.

The Jets have been looking for answers at the position since Aaron Rodgers tore an Achilles tendon on the Jets’ first series of the season on Sept. 11. After backup Zach Wilson was ineffective, the Jets turned to Boyle, who started the past two games, both losses.

Head coach Robert Saleh yanked Boyle last Sunday in a 13-8 home loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Before he was replaced by Trevor Siemian, Boyle was 14-of-25 passing for 148 yards and a touchdown.

Boyle, 29, is winless in five career starts with the Jets and Detroit Lions (2021). He also has played for the Green Bay Packers (2019-20) and Chicago Bears (2022).

Rypien, 27, appeared in two games this season with the Los Angeles Rams, starting one. On the season, he’s 18-for-38 for 172 yards with an interception.

Following his sole start on Nov. 5, a 20-3 loss to the Packers, he was released by the Rams and later picked up by the Seahawks.

In 10 career games (four starts) with the Denver Broncos (2020-22) and Rams, Rypien has completed 58.3 percent of his passes for 950 yards with four touchdowns and nine interceptions. He is 2-2 as a starter.

Saleh has not named a starter for the Jets (4-8) against the Houston Texans (7-5) on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J.

–Field Level Media

Green Bay Packers linebacker Rashan Gary (52) grabs the facemask of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Brett Rypien (11) during their football game Sunday, November 5, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Gary was penalized on the play.
Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.

Seahawks sign QB Brett Rypien to practice squad

The Seattle Seahawks signed quarterback Brett Rypien to their practice squad on Friday.

Rypien started for the injured Matthew Stafford during the Los Angeles Rams’ 20-3 setback to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. The Rams promptly waived Rypien two days later, a move that allowed the Seahawks (5-3) to pick up the Spokane (Wash.) native ahead of their game at Los Angeles (3-6) on Nov. 19.

Seattle starting quarterback Geno Smith completed just 13 of 28 passes for 157 yards and one interception in a 37-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Drew Lock serves as the backup quarterback for the Seahawks.

Rypien, 27, completed 18 of 38 passes for 172 yards with an interception in two games this season with the Rams. A nephew of Super Bowl XXVI MVP Mark Rypien, he has thrown for 950 yards with four touchdowns and nine picks in 10 career games with the Denver Broncos (2020-22) and Rams.

Defensive tackle Matthew Gotel was released by the Seahawks to make room for Brett Rypien.

–Field Level Media

Oct 17, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) throws the ball in the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos’ Russell Wilson ‘looks good,’ still limited in practice

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson was a limited participant in practice for the second straight day on Thursday due to his hamstring injury.

“He had a good day of practice today,” Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett said. “(He) looks good, and we’re just going to keep on monitoring it day-to-day and make sure he’s OK.”

Wilson’s level of participation in practice on Friday likely will go a long way toward his availability for the Broncos (2-5) in their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5) on Sunday in London.

“We’ll find out,” Hackett said about whether Wilson will play on Sunday. “It’s day-to-day. Want to be sure ‘Ryp’ (Brett Rypien) and Josh (Johnson) are both ready at the same time.”

Wilson, 33, missed last Sunday’s 16-9 loss to the New York Jets after sustaining the injury in Denver’s Week 6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He also has been playing through an injury to his throwing shoulder, a partially torn lat muscle that required a platelet-rich plasma injection.

Rypien completed 24 of 46 passes for 225 yards with no touchdowns and one interception against the Jets.

The Denver offense has struggled despite the offseason acquisition of Wilson. The former Super Bowl winner has thrown for 1,442 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions through six games, completing 58.6 percent of his passes — far below his career average of 64.8.

Like Wilson, defensive lineman Mike Purcell (knee) and linebacker Josey Jewell (knee) were limited in Thursday’s practice.

Offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (quad), linebacker Baron Browning (hip), cornerback Essang Bassey (hamstring), wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland (groin) and safety Caden Sterns (hip) did not participate in practice on Thursday.

–Field Level Media

Dec 13, 2020; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver KJ Hamler (13) scores a touchdown in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos place WR KJ Hamler, LB Jonas Griffith on IR

The Denver Broncos placed wide receiver KJ Hamler and inside linebacker Jonas Griffith on injured reserve Tuesday.

The move to injured reserve was expected for Hamler, who was not expected to play again this season after he sustained a torn ACL in the second quarter of the Broncos’ 26-0 home victory against the New York Jets on Sunday.

Hamler, 22, made one catch for 28 yards against the Jets. He had five catches for 74 yards and no touchdowns in three games this season.

A 2020 second-round pick, Hamler started four of his 13 games as a rookie and finished with 30 receptions for 381 yards and three scores. He also rushed nine times for 40 yards.

Griffith, 24, sustained an injured hamstring on Sunday. He has played on 35 special teams snaps this season.

Also on Tuesday, the Broncos elevated quarterback Brett Rypien from their practice squad and signed wide receiver David Moore off the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice squad.

Rypien, 25, will serve as the third-string quarterback behind Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock. He completed 27 of 40 passes for 295 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions in three games last season with the Broncos.

Moore, 26, has recorded 78 receptions for 1,163 yards with 13 touchdowns in 47 career games with the Seattle Seahawks.

–Field Level Media

Oct 1, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Jeff Driskel (9) throws the ball before the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos fine every QB for violating COVID protocols

The Denver Broncos on Wednesday announced they have fined every quarterback for violating the league’s COVID-19 protocols.

Starting QB Drew Lock, backups Brett Rypien and Jeff Driskel as well as practice squad player Blake Bortles were all docked an undisclosed amount after all four missed last week’s game in the aftermath of Driskel testing positive for the virus.

“It was a mistake,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said Wednesday. “We paid a price for it with what happened in the game. It’s time for all of us to move on.”

Video from a position meeting revealed none of the QBs were wearing a mask before Driskel tested positive. The other three were deemed high-risk close contacts and forced to quarantine for five days. The Broncos were forced to play Kendall Hinton at quarterback in the 31-3 loss to the New Orleans Saints. Hinton completed one pass for 13 yards for the entire game.

The Broncos also announced that Bortles will not practice with the team and remain at home in the role of emergency quarterback in the event Lock or Rypien test positive ahead of Sunday’s game against the AFC West-leading Kansas City Chiefs. Lock is expected to start.

The team will also hold virtual meetings this week and for the foreseeable future and ordered that any independent film work be conducted virtually.

The team is also bringing in kicker Taylor Russolino to serve as emergency kicker in the event Brandon McManus is placed on reserve/COVID-19. Russolino hit 9 of 10 field goals for the St. Louis BattleHawks in the XFL early in 2020.

–Field Level Media

Nov 29, 2020; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio looks on before a game against the New Orleans Saints at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Team discipline for Broncos QBs ‘on the table,’ Fangio says

Additional discipline is possible for a trio of Denver Broncos quarterbacks who were held out of Sunday’s game because of COVID-19 concerns, head coach Vic Fangio said Monday.

All three quarterbacks — Drew Lock, Brett Rypien and Blake Bortles — were inactive for Sunday’s 31-3 loss to the New Orleans Saints. The trio tested negative for COVID-19 on Monday, Fangio said, and will have to test negative again Tuesday before returning to team activities.

Fangio said the players still could face team discipline.

“We’re going to consider all that and, again, try to see what the league, if they have anything planned and if not, we’ll take our measures,” Fangio said.

That could include a fine or, less likely, a one-game suspension.

“Everything’s on the table, but right now I would say it’s more the fine mode,” Fangio said.

Each quarterback was deemed “high risk” after a meeting that included fellow quarterback Jeff Driskel, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday. None of the quarterbacks wore masks during the meeting.

The Broncos were forced to turn to practice squad wide receiver Kendall Hinton to play quarterback against the Saints. Hinton, who played quarterback for three seasons at Wake Forest before changing positions, finished 1 of 9 for 13 yards and two interceptions.

Fangio was asked whether the team might quarantine one if its quarterbacks to avoid another situation like Sunday’s. He said the team would consider that option going forward.

“But I think if we just follow the protocols, we’ll be fine,” he added.

–Field Level Media

Nov 22, 2020; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) in the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Broncos QBs pulled from practice amid COVID-19 concerns

Three Denver Broncos quarterbacks — Drew Lock, Brett Rypien and Blake Bortles — were pulled off the field moments before the start of Saturday’s practice because of COVID-19 concerns, according to a report from KUSA-TV in Denver.

The move came as part of contact tracing procedures after Broncos quarterback Jeff Driskel tested positive for the virus earlier in the week. Lock, Rypien and Bortles have been taking additional tests since Thursday and have tested negative since then, the network reported.

The Broncos (4-6) are scheduled to host the New Orleans Saints (8-2) on Sunday afternoon. No changes to the game’s status have been announced.

Lock has started eight games this season, completing 55.6 percent of his passes for 1,767 yards with seven touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Driskel and Rypien made one start each.

Bortles is on the Broncos’ practice squad. He has thrown for 103 touchdowns and 75 interceptions in six NFL seasons.

–Field Level Media