DENVER -- While quarterback Tim Tebow's rough passing performance in last week's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs did create some internal discussion about whether to prepare backup Brady Quinn during practice for possible action in Sunday's AFC Wild Card game against the Steelers, the team later backed off the idea, sources said Friday.
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Quinn also told NFL.com -- both before and after an Internet report surfaced that he "has been getting roughly half the first-team reps in practice this week" -- that his repetitions have not changed at all this week.
Via text message, Quinn said he hasn't "gotten any extra reps" in practice. Quinn reiterated his stance during a follow-up conversation after the report from ProFootballTalk.com first surfaced Friday afternoon.
Quinn said he gets "maybe a couple of reps a day" with the first-team offense, adding that usually he gets one or two repetitions -- "if any" -- on Fridays. He said he got two repetitions with the unit Friday.
Asked about the internal discussions earlier in the week, which were disclosed by a team source, Quinn said there have been other instances when he has been involved in talks about a possible package, but in any of those instances, the team has later backed off and allowed Tebow to remain the team's sole quarterback.
It is possible the Broncos still could put Tebow on a short leash after last Sunday's performance, but Quinn said that has not led to any more additional preparation in practice.
Quinn, however, has spent time throwing passes to wide receivers after practice has ended, as he did Friday. He also routinely prepares for games with a very different mindset than Tebow, since the offense would change dramatically if Quinn were to end up in the game.
Follow Jeff Darlington on Twitter @JeffDarlington.
