Peyton Manning inactive, Brock Osweiler to start in Week 16

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) – Broncos coach Gary Kubiak says Brock Osweiler’s eye infection has largely cleared up and Peyton Manning had a good week of work.

Manning has already been ruled out for Monday’s game against the Bengals, and Brock Osweiler will make his sixth start in his place.

Monday Night Football is a huge game for both the Broncos and the Bengals.

The Broncos owned the Steelers on the road in the first half and promptly coughed up a huge lead as the offense fell apart and Antonio Brown lit up the Denver D.

Kubiak said (via USA Today) Manning’s workout Saturday in the team’s’ indoor facility, before the full squad took the field, “went really good”, adding Manning worked hard throwing and conditioning-wise.

The Denver Broncos are rumored to have reached the end of the Peyton Manning era, with Brock Osweiler reportedly taking over the position on a full-time basis and the future Hall of Famer serving only as an emergency backup in case of injury. He did not play at all last week, and the Broncos are being cautious as this is an aggravation of an injury he suffered during training camp.

Kubiak decisively announced Osweiler as his starting quarterback on the first day of the week in his first four starts, but the coach has waited a couple days before making his decision the past two games. With the playoffs just a few weeks away, It would be a huge boost to Brock Osweiler’s confidence if the Broncos do choose to trust him with the offense going into the postseason. He has played for 17 years at the highest level, accumulating 71,871 yards, 539 touchdowns and a 96.5 QB rating in that time.

The Broncos finish their regular season with a home game January 3 against the San Diego Chargers.