National Football League notes: Manning returns to practice but won’t start for Broncos

The Denver Broncos are giving 25-year-old quarterback Brock Osweiler the starting nod on Sunday, which means Manning, a five-time MVP, will serve as a backup for the first time in his career.

Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak reiterated Osweiler is still his starting quarterback. And the Broncos enter the regular-season finale against the San Diego Chargers No. 1 in total defense and No. 4 in scoring defense – at 18.4 points allowed per game, with Cincinnati at No. 1 at 17.5 points allowed per game.

Manning, too, said he isn’t looking ahead but instead will focus on beating the Chargers, a win that would clinch the AFC’s No. 2 seed and a first-round bye.

Manning’s last full practice was November 13 and he last worked out with teammates on December 17 before a setback in his recovery from a torn left plantar fascia. “It’s been an interesting year, I’m not going to lie about that”.

If the Broncos lose and the Chiefs win, the Chiefs would win the AFC West and Denver would be a wild card. That next step to me is being in position to play, that means being on the field with us, suiting up for the game.

Manning said it’s been a frustrating month and a-half and returning to the football field “sure beats being in the indoors by yourself and being in street clothes” on game day. “It feels good, but at the same time, I have a job to do this week”. Manning looked over at Lynch and said, “Let’s surprise these guys”.

“I don’t have a whole lot to add to what I said on Sunday”, Manning said. “And if everything goes, and I have no reason to think it should not go well this week, then he would be the backup to Brock in the game”. The most historic meeting between these two teams was on January 12, 2014, when the Broncos defeated San Diego 24-17 in the divisional playoffs en route to an appearance in Super Bowl XLVIII. “I didn’t get to talk to him or see him, which is kind of upsetting to me”, Marshall said. “But I’m glad everybody recovered from it”.

BELIEF IN BRANDON: Broncos kicker Brandon McManus has missed kicks in each of the last five games, and astonishingly hooked a 45-yarder against the Bengals at the end of regulation Monday night before hitting a 37-yarder in overtime.

“We don’t get a week off if we don’t take care of this week”, Anderson said.

The aggressive Jackson had a spate of 15-yard penalties early in the season that faded at midseason, but has now drawn 15-yard infractions in consecutive games.

“It could be an incredible season for us”, Phillips said.