Broncos Notebook: So Much For Quarterback Drama

Peyon Manning, out rehabbing a torn plantar fascia in his foot, is not expected to be active against the Bengals nor is he expected to practice on Wednesday.

Reports on NFL.com suggest that a workout scheduled for today will determine whether Manning will be considered if, and most likely when, the Broncos make the play-offs.

Manning returned to practice last week but spent his two days on the field doing individual drills and running the scout team. He was ruled out against the Steelers. He practiced on Dec. 16 and 17, but sat out Dec. 18 because of foot soreness, which forced Manning to step back to the type of throwing sessions he had in the Week of Dec. 7-11.

The Denver Broncos coaching staff will have a very tough decision at the quarterback position for this upcoming week.

Kubiak was non-committal on what the workout would mean for Manning’s status in practice this week or for action next weekend.

“I need to shut up”, Kubiak said, laughing. He then lost his next two games and Monday will be the sixth consecutive game he misses because of injury.

Asked if he could say Osweiler would start next week against San Diego, Kubiak replied, “Brock is our starter moving forward and we’re trying to get Peyton healthy”.

The Denver Broncos are playing the biggest challenge of their schedule, against the Bengals, with Peyton Manning as the emergency backup quarterback.

This game has huge playoff implications for both sides, with the No. 2 seed potentially on the line and the Broncos battling with KC for the AFC West crown. I feel really good about where he is.

With four safeties sidelined, the Broncos couldn’t afford to wait out David Bruton Jr.’s broken right fibula, so they put him on IR Tuesday and signed free agent Shaun Prater.

While they have a number of good players on their offense, they have had spells of inefficiency and mind-boggling mistakes. Fantasy Tip: Osweiler has thrown for 604 yards and three TDs combined in last two games despite Broncos blowing double-digit halftime leads in back-to-back weeks.