TAMPA, Fla. -- Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian made history in his first road start. He didn't make it through the first half in his second start because of a left shoulder injury.
He exited to the locker room after Tampa Bay defensive tackle Clinton McDonald slammed him to the ground on a sack with 1:47 remaining until half.
Siemian's left shoulder absorbed the brunt of the tackle. McDonald pushed up the middle and Siemian had nowhere to go with pressure coming from the right side as well. After getting swung violently to the turf, the second-year player stayed on the ground briefly on two knees. Siemian jogged to the sideline and after trainers looked at him, he boarded a cart and headed to the locker room.
He continued to play well before the injury, completing 5-of-7 passes for 68 yards and a touchdown. After the first of Aqib Talib's two interceptions, Siemian drilled an 11-yard touchdown strike to Demaryius Thomas on Denver's first offensive play.
Rookie Paxton Lynch replaced Siemian. He finished the first half 4-of-8 for 47 yards, looking comfortable in the shotgun in the two-minute drill.
For historians, his first NFL completion came on a 4-yard pass to Jordan Norwood.
On his second possession, Lynch drove the Broncos 47 yards in nine plays, setting up Brandon McManus' 38-yard field. It gave the Broncos a 17-7 first-half lead.
Siemian stood on the sideline in the second half with a ball cap on as Lynch led a second straight scoring drive -- 69 yards on 16 plays.
Denver led 20-7 early in the third quarter.
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