Paxton Lynch to Make First Career Start Against the Atlanta Falcons in Place of Injured Trevor Siemian

Paxton Lynch will start Sunday against the Falcons with starter Trevor Siemian still nursing an injury

Denvers first round pick out of Memphis Paxton Lynch will get the opportunity to prove he was worthy of the Super Bowl champions selection.

Broncos starting quarterback Trevor Siemian, a seventh round pick out of Northwestern two years ago, injured his non-throwing shoulder last week against Tampa Bay. Lynch entered the game just before halftime and threw for 170 yards with a touchdown.

Austin Davis will be the back-up for Denver, and Siemian will officially be listed as inactive.

Denver Broncos

Paxton Lynch played for three years for the Memphis Tigers, throwing 59 touchdowns and over 8,800 yards during his college career. Denver traded-up with the Seahawks to draft Lynch before Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys could swing a deal of their own.

Atlanta has allowed at-least 24 points per game this season, but has managed to win three straight games. Their defense has allowed the second-most passing yards per game with 317, sitting only behind the Raiders.

Lynch will have an excellent group of receivers around him to help ease him into his first NFL start. Demaryius Thomas is healthy, and Emmanuel Sanders has three touchdowns in his last two games. Running back C.J. Anderson can also relieve Lynch by carrying the ball 20 times, and allowing rookie Devontae Booker to earn his paycheck on third downs.

Rookie quarterbacks have been surprisingly strong this year, headlined by Carson Wentz and Dak Prescott. Trevone Boykin, Jacoby Brissett and Cody Kessler have also turned heads.

Next: Broncos v. Falcons Game Preview

Number one overall pick Jared Goff continues to ride the bench and learn the pro-style offense.

Rookies Christian Hackenberg, Connor Cook, Kevin Hogan, Cardale Jones, Jake Rudock, Jeff Driskel, Brandon Allen, and Brandon Doughty are the remaining rookies who have not yet seen the field in regular season action.

Related Story: Paxton Lynch Scouting Report

Sundays game in Denver will kick-off at 4:05 p.m. E.T. with the undefeated Broncos hoping their dominant defense can shutdown Atlanta’s high-powered offense.