Kubiak downplays Peyton workout praise

As expected, the Denver Broncos will go with Brock Osweiler as the starting quarterback on Monday Night Football in Week 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals, as Peyton Manning is inactive for the sixth straight week.

The Broncos have gone 3-2 in that stretch with Osweiler completing 60.3 percent of his passes – Manning has completed 59.9 percent – while throwing eight touchdowns and four picks.

Manning returned to practice last week, but only for two days. He was ruled out against the Steelers.

The truth is that if Manning does not recover and is cut by the Broncos, there are few teams who will be willing to take a chance on a 39 year old quarterback coming off a significant injury.

It seems obvious that the Broncos are trying to keep the door open on Peyton returning at some point this season.

Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak announced today that he will stick with Osweiler for at least another week.

Osweiler banged up his left (non-throwing) shoulder when he scrambled for 7 yards in the second quarter against the Steelers last weekend and he awoke Tuesday morning with a left eye infection.

Kubiak said he expects starting free safety Darian Stewart to practice in full Saturday, which would mean he would play against the Bengals. Denver has been outscored 36-0 after the break over its last three, and Osweiler has posted a 65.8 rating in the second half compared to 109.4 in the first.

When asked about why he labeled it a “big” workout earlier in the week, Kubiak quipped: “I need to shut up”.

Denver will need to double-team him often in this game as the team must get something going on the ground. “I’m going to have him working inside because I think that’s what’s best”. “He’s been around. Certainly you wouldn’t want to give him a whole lot”. That would play perfectly into Denver’s hand as they’re giving up just 200 yards through the air each game. Without the two quarterbacks, it’s easy to see why the Broncos are -3.5 favorites to win at home on Monday Night.

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