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Denver Broncos Start Practice Squad WR at Quarterback, NFL Fans React to First Start

The New Orleans Saints crushed the quarterback-less Denver Broncos on Sunday by a score of 31-3, as Denver was held to just 12 passing yards.

A little more than a day had gone by after the Denver Broncos pulled all three of their quarterbacks off the practice field. The team had to do so because of COVID-19 contract tracing protocols. As a result, they opened their game against the Saints on Sunday with running back Phillip Lindsay taking a direct snap. In addition, the team spent most of the day with a practice squad wide receiver playing quarterback.

The team had to call up Kendall Hinton from the practice squad on short notice despite him not taking a single rep during practice. Hinton went on to finish the game 1-for-9 passing for 13 yards and two interceptions,

“There was a game today. The final score is what it is,” the Broncos’ official Twitter account wrote. “Undrafted rookie WIDE RECEIVER @Kendall_Hinton2 came off the practice squad, had zero practice reps and competed in his first NFL game as the Broncos’ QUARTERBACK—an unprecedented situation. He deserves all the respect.

Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio spoke to reporters after the game. He says he was disappointed in the team’s quarterbacks — Drew Lock, Brett Rypien, and Blake Bortles. The Broncos coach said they put the team and the league in a position where Denver had to play without a QB.

“We count on them to be the leaders of our team, the leaders of our offense, and those guys made a mistake,” Fangio said.

NFL Fans React to Denver Broncos Quarterback Situation

Broncos fans had mixed reactions to their team’s quarterback situation on Sunday. However, many of the reactions on social media were that of respect toward Hinton, who came in to play on a moment’s notice.

“Idc Hinton is the MVP this game. NFL screwed us over and he filled in. Mad respect,” one fan wrote.

Another fan sent a reply sharing that same sentiment. She wrote, “I can’t like this tweet enough. He deserves so much respect.”

One Twitter user was wondering when the last time a team only had one completion in a game. He also took a moment to blame the NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, for what happened.