David Richard/Associated Press

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported on Nov. 14 that Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning has been dealing with lingering foot and rib injuries.

Although Manning started against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 10, he was benched during the game for backup quarterback Brock Osweiler and hadn't played since. However, he has returned to game action.

Continue for updates.

Manning Returns in 2nd Half vs. Chargers

Sunday, Jan. 3

After Manning was listed as active vs. San Diego, the veteran quarterback returned to action in the second half, replacing Brock Osweiler.



Manning Reportedly Won't Be Healthy This Season

Sunday, Jan. 3

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per Kevin Patra of NFL.com:

[Manning], not at full health—may [not] be at full health throughout the entire season—is going to back up [Osweiler] and in case they need him, in case there is an epic disaster at quarterback, [Manning] could step in. But this is [Osweiler's] team going forward, something Gary Kubiak made clear this week, based 1) on his play, especially in crunch time, and 2) that they do not think [Manning] can take the full reps necessary to be the starting quarterback this season.

Latest on Manning's Practice Status

Friday, Jan. 1

Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post reported Manning practiced and did not suffer a setback.

Manning Comments on Osweiler, Potential Backup Role

Thursday, Dec. 31

"When you're in street clothes and you're not practicing and you're kind of on your own rehabbing, you just don't feel like you can help all that much," Manning said, via Lindsay H. Jones of USA Today. "I've tried to help some. I've tried to be there for Brock and be there for any questions they've had but I think I can be more of a help to the team now that I'm more available."

"I want to be able to get through this week in full capacity," Manning added. "We kind of had a walkthrough tonight. But to practice Thursday, Friday, Saturday, get back onto the playing field in uniform, it's been a while. Whatever I can do to help this team get a win against the Chargers, that's kind of where the focus is, you know, the one-week-at-a-time approach."

Kubiak Comments on Manning's Status

Tuesday, Dec. 30

Kubiak told reporters if everything goes well, Manning will serve as a backup against the Chargers:

Time to take the next step. Will take it one day at a time. Manning being healthy is a great thing for this football team, him being available. Brock’s our quarterback—nothing has changed from that standpoint. Manning being available is a change. Peyton and I talk all the time. Our conversations have been very good throughout the course of this. We’ve got a good football team—we’re in a good position right now. We need to stay focused on that. [Manning's] throwing the ball well. … Last week was a very positive sign. [Osweiler] is our guy. He's doing a hell of a job. We'll keep moving forward."

Manning Participates in Workout

Monday, Dec. 28

Manning is "rapidly getting healthy," according to Rapoport, who added the QB participated in four throwing sessions with zero setbacks and will "likely" practice soon.

Elway Refutes Backup Report

Sunday, Dec. 20

Rapoport reported that Manning has no interest in backing up Osweiler whenever he is healthy again:

However, John Elway, general manager and executive vice president of football operations for the Broncos, quickly denied the report, tweeting: "Peyton has never told Gary or myself that he doesn't want to be the backup. Any report or rumor that suggests otherwise is incorrect!!"

Despite Elway's statement, Vic Lombardi of CBS4 in Denver declared Manning won't take another snap for the Broncos unless Osweiler gets hurt.

Archie Manning Comments on Peyton's Injury, Future

Thursday, Dec. 17

Archie Manning, Peyton's father, discussed the quarterback's foot injury and whether this season is his last, via Lionel Beinvenu of ABC 7 in Denver:

Manning Comments on Recovery

Wednesday, Dec. 2

According to Mike Klis of 9News, Manning said doctors wanted to recast his foot, but he asked for another opinion. His cast was ultimately taken off and his foot was put in a boot. Klis added that the boot will come off Friday, which will be followed by seven to 10 days of rehab. Manning said he will take it "one week at a time."

"It's been a test of patience," Manning said, per Renck. "I am trying to see how it reacts to rehab."

Latest on Manning's Timeline for Recovery

Monday, Nov. 30

Chris Mortensen of ESPN reported there is "no definitive timeline" for Manning's return. Mortensen added that Manning will get his boot off later in the week and continue rehab.

However, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Thursday's NFL GameDay Morning (h/t Patra) that Manning is "at least three weeks" from playing:

Here's why: He's going to be in a cast for up to 10 days, then he's got another week of rehab, and then he's got to try to get on the field. So the date to circle on your calendar is Dec. 20 against the Steelers. That's the most realistic date that Manning could be back, but no one has guaranteed to me that he'll definitely be back on the field, especially if Brock Osweiler is playing well.

Kubiak Comments on Broncos' QB Situation

Sunday, Nov. 22

When asked about the quarterback situation following a victory over the Chicago Bears, Kubiak did not tip his hand about when Manning gets healthy.

“I knew that was coming,” Kubiak said, per Florio. “Here’s the deal: We got healthier here today. We’ve got some guys on this team that we’re trying to get healthy, so that’s important. And we won our eighth game. So we’re going to focus on winning today and enjoy winning and we’ll go back to work next week.”

After Manning picked up the injury, Kubiak told reporters on Nov. 15: "If [Manning's] healthy and ready to go, Peyton is our quarterback."

Latest on Severity of Manning's Rib Injury

Sunday, Nov. 22

"Manning's MRI on his ribs came back relatively clean. Being called a strain, but still very painful," reported Rapoport.

Latest on Severity of Manning's Foot Injury

Monday, Nov. 16

"Manning has torn plantar fascia in right foot, league sources tell ESPN. Manning was battling plantar fasciitis; worsened," reported ESPN's Adam Schefter on Nov. 16. "Eli Manning played with fully torn plantar fascia in 2009; Peyton Manning's is partial tear, which is more painful to play through," he added.

Schefter later corrected that Manning's tear is in the left foot.

Manning Comments on Injury

Sunday, Nov. 15

Manning said, per ESPN.com's Jeff Legwold:

I have a really hard time using that as any type of excuse. I had some injuries during the week ... I felt good enough to go out there and play. It's obviously, you look back on it now, I have a hard time saying that's why I played, you know, badly. Could that be the reason? I guess it could be, but to me, that's an easy way out, kind of an easy line to say after the fact ... I wanted to go, I wanted to be out there for the team.'

Breaking Down Manning's Injury History, Impact on Broncos

Outside of the neck surgeries that sidelined Manning for the entire 2011 season, the NFL's all-time leading touchdown passer had never missed a regular-season game until this foot injury.

Back in 2011, Mortensen provided some anecdotal evidence regarding Manning's determination to stay on the field:

The only other time Manning has missed a regular-season snap because of injury was in 2001 against Miami. Backup Mark Rypien fumbled. The Dolphins recovered and drove 59 yards for the winning score. Manning returned on the next series with a bloody mouth. He was later diagnosed with a hairline fracture in his jaw.

The 39-year-old quarterback has been one of the league's most durable players over the past 18 seasons, and missing time would be uncharacteristic. However, he has experienced some real struggles this season.

Through nine games, Manning has completed 59.9 percent of his passes for 2,180 yards, nine touchdowns and 17 interceptions.

Throughout the preseason, Osweiler demonstrated an impressive understanding of the team's offense. In Denver's Week 11 victory over Chicago, the 25-year-old completed 20 of 27 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.

Over the course of the Broncos' first three exhibition tilts, Osweiler graded out as one of the NFL's 10 best quarterbacks, according to Pro Football Focus. And while that sample size is admittedly small, it provided the first glimmer of hope that Denver's offense can function without Manning at the controls.

However, the franchise's Super Bowl hopes are arguably in better hands with the experiences Manning despite his injury issues.