It’s Brett Rypien vs. Kevin Hogan to be Denver Broncos backup QB

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – There is still time for Brett Rypien to take the next step when the Denver Broncos play the Arizona Cardinals in an NFL exhibition on Thursday night.

Rypien and Kevin Hogan are battling for the backup quarterback position in Denver. They will share the snaps in Thursday’s preseason finale.

Asked if he had seen enough from Hogan or Rypien to name one of them the backup QB to start the season, first-year Broncos coach Vic Fangio said he still needed to see some separation.

“That remains to be seen,” Fangio said. “I’ve seen some good play. I’ve seen some not-so-good, so I don’t know the answer to that just yet.”

Bringing in a veteran QB “is always an option,” Fangio said, “but as you see out there, there’s not a lot of them available.”

The survivor between Rypien and Hogan will likely be the backup for just a few weeks. Drew Lock, a rookie second-round draft pick out of Missouri, was on his way to securing the backup job behind starter Joe Flacco when he sprained the thumb on his right (throwing) hand last week. The backup job appears to be his when he returns.

The highlight of Rypien’s preseason play has been his game-winning touchdown pass in the Hall of Fame game against Atlanta. Rypien connected with Juwann Winfree on a 15-yard pass with 1:26 remaining to give the Broncos a 14-10 win.