Even before he worked out for the Denver Broncos on Friday, Peyton Manning threw passes for the San Francisco 49ers and underwent a physical exam earlier this week, according to league sources.

The Arizona Cardinals were informed they would be wise to proceed without Manning as a candidate to join the team and will now retain quarterback Kevin Kolb, paying him a $7 million roster bonus due after a Friday deadline of 4 p.m. ET.

That leaves three teams as finalists to sign Manning, including the Tennessee Titans.

Talks with the Miami Dolphins were described as "positive," but he informed them midweek they were not going to be among his finalists, sources said.

Now San Francisco is the sleeper team few were expecting.