Brock Osweiler stays starter as Peyton Manning prepares for throwing program

ByJeff Legwold ESPN logo
Monday, December 7, 2015

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. --Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said Monday quarterback Brock Osweiler will start his fourth consecutive game this week when Denver plays host to theOakland Raiders at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

Kubiak also said Peyton Manning, who is recovering from a tear in the plantar fascia near his left heel, is not expected to participate in practice but he is expected to begin some kind of throwing regimen this week.

"Peyton worked hard through the weekend, worked hard [Monday]," Kubiak said. "... I think [Tuesday] is kind of a rest day for him. Nothing will change this week as far as Brock's our starter and what we're doing.''

Manning did not make the trip to San Diego -- safety T.J. Ward and nose tackle Sylvester Williams stayed behind as well -- and he worked with a Broncos trainer.

Kubiak said the Broncos' plan is for Manning to add some throwing to his rehab workouts. He could work with strength and conditioning coach Luke Richesson, among others, while the rest of the Broncos are in meetings. The Broncos will return to the practice field Wednesday.

"The process is, the thought is, maybe starting Wednesday, depending on how things go, we start to throw, start to do a little bit on-the-field type of stuff," Kubiak said. "Working toward some football things this week, but it has been a good week for him."

The Broncos (10-2) have won all three of Osweiler's starts, including Sunday's 17-3 win over the San Diego Chargers. Osweiler has completed 61.3 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and three interceptions this season.

Kubiak said Manning has done some conditioning work in recent weeks -- largely upper body -- and has done some minimal throwing. Any throwing Manning would do this week would be the start of the work to get him back on the practice field.

"[It's] always a process of getting back on that field and running around. Hopefully we can get that process started this week," Kubiak said.

Manning has not played since he was removed with just over six minutes remaining in the third quarter of the Broncos' Nov. 15 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Manning was 5-of-20 passing in that game for 35 yards with four interceptions.

He said last week that he had been bothered with plantar fasciitis for some time this season but that he suffered the tear in the Broncos' Nov. 8 loss in Indianapolis.

Osweiler was asked after Sunday's win how he has approached Manning's injury and rehab schedule.

"Right now, I've been asked to do that on weekly basis," Osweiler said. "... In Chicago was one week at a time. Then I was told I'm going to play against the Patriots, so that was one week at a time, and now this week against San Diego. I'm truly taking this just one week at a time. ... We'll see what the future holds for the Raiders next week."

The Broncos' past three wins, with Osweiler at quarterback, have come against Jay Cutler, Tom Brady and Philip Rivers.

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