COLORADO, USA — While an MRI taken last week on the neck of Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco delivered encouraging results, his agent Joe Linta is seeking a second opinion from spine specialist Dr. Andrew Dossett of Dallas.
“Joe has every intention to play but not at the risk of his long-term health,’’ Linta said Tuesday.
Flacco wound up with a bulging disc in his neck following the Broncos’ final-second loss to the Indianapolis Colts in game 8 last season. Although it was determined the neck did not require surgery, at least not yet, the injury did put Flacco on season-ending injured reserve.
The Broncos were 2-6 at the halfway point of Flacco’s first season, although there were losses to Chicago, Jacksonville and Indianapolis in which Flacco had his Broncos ahead with a minute to go, only for the defense to surrender a game-losing drive.
Broncos general manager John Elway told 9NEWS he was working through options regarding Flacco’s status but was encouraged about his long-term health.
Flacco has two years at $20.25 million and $24.25 million left on his contract. That’s too rich for a backup quarterback as second-year, second-round draft pick Drew Lock is expected to be the Broncos’ season-opening starter after leading the team to a 4-1 record in the final five games of 2019.
However, the Broncos could either restructure Flacco’s contract and bring him back at a reduced rate as a backup, trade him, or release him to free agency.
The 2020 NFL season officially opens for business on March 18.
Flacco, 35, is a 12-year NFL starter with a 98-73 overall regular-season record, plus a 10-5 postseason mark that includes a victory in Super Bowl 47 in which he was named MVP.
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