Broncos sign Christian Ponder to add QB depth with Peyton Manning out

After missing the first game of his 18-year career due to an injury last week, Denver Broncos’ quarterback Peyton Manning will now miss a few more.

Brock Osweiler did everything right for the Denver Broncos in the win over the Chicago Bears.

As odd as that sounds, the 8-1 Broncos will have to face the reality that at some point, Manning will not be the team’s starting quarterback and Brock Osweiler, or some other passer, will have the keys to the Broncos offense.

“There’s nobody that has more respect for Peyton than me, outside of probably his parents, his brother”, Brady said Wednesday. The Broncos are reportedly working out Christian Ponder this week, while Ronnie Hillman is the RB fantasy start option over CJ Anderson.

Coach Gary Kubiak said he and GM John Elway were concerned about their depth at QB “because we’re sitting here with a guy who has one start in this league and a kid who doesn’t have a play….”

The Broncos did not allow Manning to participate in meetings or practices last week, and he did not travel with the team to Chicago, instead having treatment at the Broncos’ suburban Denver complex. Although you don’t want to rush to judgment regarding Osweiler’s debut – especially with a Bill Belichick-led defense looming next week – the 20-for-27, 250-yard, two-touchdown performance was a ideal start. Overall the Broncos ran the ball 36 times for 170 yards, taking the pressure off Osweiler.

The reason Kubiak’s offensive system is so successful is because its both simple and keeps the defense so off balance that play calls have an unusually high chance of success on any given set of downs. New England’s Chandler Jones, Jabaal Sheard, and Rob Ninkovich could have big games.

Three years ago, he started all 16 regular-season games for a Vikings squad that made the playoffs.

“I don’t know if anybody believed me, but I really was telling the truth – I have not wasted a single day sitting behind Peyton, ” he said. They also allow just 3.5 yards per carry, second-best in the league. We have the ability to possibly have four. The quarterback will now be out for at least two more games after the Broncos just received more bad news. Manning stayed back in Denver to continue getting treatment. If Talib doesn’t cover Gronk one-on-one, those duties likely will be left to safety Darian Stewart and linebacker Danny Trevathan.