Peyton Manning claims he hasn’t thought about 2016, sort of

The Denver Broncos have Brock Osweiler prepared to start in Week 13 with Peyton Manning out and the quarterback could continue to play for a at least a couple more weeks until Manning can return.

Head coach Gary Kubiak earlier Wednesday said the team is considering its quarterback situation on a “week-to-week” basis, shooting down any speculation that the team has committed to Osweiler for the rest of the season. “I’m trying to get healthy before I try to get back”, Manning said. “I’m thinking about what [Head] Coach [Gary] Kubiak asked me to do is to try to get healthy, and I’m following his instructions”.

Kubiak stuck to his consistent stance that the team will wait until Manning is fully healed to make any decisions about the future of the quarterback position in Denver.

9News had to know: Once Manning gets back healthy, and with Osweiler playing so well, would Manning be willing to accept a backup role?

There was a report last week that said Manning is planning to play next season, even if it’s for a team other than the Broncos.

The boot, which he said he will wear as much as possible, will be removed Friday, and his foot will be re-evaluated. I’d love for it to be healthy yesterday, I can assure you… there’s no guarantee whatsoever.

Given this is Osweiler’s first turn as a starter, the Broncos have tried to keep him in a one-game-at-a-time mode.

“You know, I’m not really focused with how long am I going to be the starter?” Some people try to get healthy. “You know, some earth-shattering medical information there”, Manning said. “I’ll start some rehab Saturday…”

“No one thought on the line that C.J. would take it 48 yards, but that’s how powerful and explosive C.J.is”, said Harris.

Since losing Manning due to this injury, Brock Osweiler has taken the reigns under center and hasn’t done poorly, leading the Broncos to two straight wins. “Try to help wherever I can”.

Osweiler was asked Wednesday if he had picked up a copy of Sports Illustrated and said: “I haven’t, I picked up our game plan for the week, though….”

“We have not had any conversation like that”, said Osweiler. I think any competitor would tell ya they would be lying if they said it wasn’t hard to not be out there. “That’s what I’m trying to do”.