The buzz word at Broncos training camp this year has been “fresh.”

Coach Gary Kubiak mandated that Peyton Manning and other veterans rest each week in an effort to stay fresh and preserve their bodies for the latter part of the season.

Thursday, the final day of training camp, was Manning’s designated time off. He, tight end Owen Daniels and right guard Louis Vasquez watched as the rest of the team ran through the usual drills in preparation for the Texans on Saturday.

Manning is expected to play at least a quarter and a half in Houston for his first game action in Kubiak’s new offense.

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“I think you always want to be out there, and you want to play as long as you possibly can until they take you out,” Manning said. “But you’re getting ready to play a four-quarter game and to play a regular-season game. That’s your mental approach.”

The Broncos received good news on the defensive side Thursday, as backup defensive end Kenny Anunike underwent his scheduled knee scope in Denver and is expected to return to the team in 2-3 weeks, Kubiak said.

Kubiak did not specify the injury, but Anunike has had four ACL surgeries on his other leg, so the time frame for his expected return was welcome.

Kubiak also said inside linebacker Brandon Marshall, the team’s leading tackler last season, will play Saturday. Marshall underwent surgery on his foot in March and has surpassed fellow inside linebacker Danny Trevathan (knee reconstruction) in his rehab. Trevathan, Kubiak said, will not play Saturday.

“I think Danny has closed the gap,” Kubiak said. “Danny has worked pretty much full-time this week and practiced really good, but we just think Brandon is a little ahead.”

Marshall said he expects to play for the first quarter of Saturday’s game.

Footnotes: Strong safety T.J. Ward was excused for personal reasons. David Bruton and Omar Bolden both took reps at strong safety in his absence. … Other veterans — including DeMarcus Ware, Von Miller and Demaryius Thomas — participated in Thursday’s workout. … Emmanuel Sanders (hamstring) still was sidelined, as was outside linebacker Lerentee McCray.

Nicki Jhabvala: njhabvala@denverpost.com or twitter.com/nickijhabvala