Peyton Manning Back At Practice, Won’t Play For Broncos Vs. Steelers

Peyton Manning, in his most expansive comments on the injury earlier this month, would only say the foot had bothered him “for a while”. But after two practies, Manning was held out of the Broncos’ practice Friday. We went through a good week last week, gave him the weekend off, so we’ll see where we’re at.

“It was a little unusual to watch Peyton take those scout team reps today, ” Osweiler said after Wednesdays workout. On Monday, before the announcement was made, head coach Gary Kubiak spoke about Manning’s return to the practice field, calling it “the next step”.

Pittsburgh cornerbacks William Gay and Brandon Boykin were each fined $8,681 for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Since taking over for injured professional advertising spokesman and occasional quarterback Peyton Manning, the Broncos are 3-1 under Brock Osweiler.

But that may be what it takes for the staff to wrest back control of the offense from Manning.

Maybe all of the Manning supporters like Tony Dungy were right this season, when they kept saying repeatedly that something beyond nerve degeneration was wrong with Manning. Despite missing the last month, Manning still manages to lead the league in interceptions, with 17. They are now at third place in American Football Conference and lost three of their last five.

Osweiler is coming off his first loss, to Oakland at home, even though he completed a career-best 35 throws and posted his first 300-yard passing game.

Expect the Broncos to continue to aid on the side of precaution with Manning.

Critics of Osweiler pointed out that Manning managed to snag wins for the Denver Broncos despite the lack of protection and support from his teammates at times. This is a living legend, a guaranteed Hall of Famer. And his postseason experience could prove vital when considering the possibility of Osweiler having to face the Steelers (again), Chiefs, Patriots and, should Denver reach the Super Bowl, whoever the NFC fields.

That one statement raises a lot of questions: How serious was the injury? And as long as the Broncos were winning games, why mess with that dynamic? The run game is middle of the road, yes, but it’s also effective enough.

The thing about a healthy Manning – a Manning at full strength – is that he was able to overcome some of those coaching errors because he was in charge of the offense. While Peyton Manning appears to be nearing a return, the team has not officially said he he will get the job back, and at times appears evasive on the issue.