Ankle sprain keeps Peyton Manning out of Broncos' Wednesday practice

Lindsay H. Jones | USA TODAY Sports

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is not practicing Wednesday in order to rest his sprained right ankle.

Manning is still expected to start Sunday night against the Kansas City Chiefs, who sit in first place in the AFC West ahead of Denver. Interim head coach Jack Del Rio said earlier this week that Manning's practice time could be limited as team medical officials monitor his recovery. An MRI on Monday revealed no further damage to a high ankle sprain initially suffered last month.

This is only the second game-week practice Manning has missed since signing with the Broncos in 2012. He has not missed a game for Denver.

"I know Peyton Manning. He'll be ready," Kansas City coach Andy Reid said on a conference call with reporters Wednesday morning.

With Manning absent from practice, second-year backup Brock Osweiler will lead the first-team offense.

The Denver defense is practicing Wednesday at near full-strength, with starting cornerback Champ Bailey and safety Duke Ihenacho available. Neither played in Sunday's win against the San Diego Chargers.

Bailey has played only six quarters this season — a full game against the Jacksonville Jaguars and a half against the Indianapolis Colts — because of a sprained foot.

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Follow Lindsay H. Jones on Twitter @bylindsayhjones