Osweiler will start his fourth game in a row on Sunday at Pittsburgh in place of Manning, who was 7-2 as a starter.
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If Manning practices this week, it would be a significant step toward being available to play, if not this week then perhaps December 28 against the Bengals (10-3) as a test of sorts before the playoffs.
“I’ve got to see where he’s at; we’ve got to talk through our situation and see where’s he at”, Kubiak said.
“It was good to see him back, I know he was happy to be back, I know everybody was excited to see him back that is no discredit to Brock”, Emmanuel Sanders, wide receiver said.
Broncos coach Gary Kubiak signaled as much Wednesday, saying that Manning has “taken a step forward”, an oddly positive phrase if indeed Kubiak’s plan is to keep Manning on the sideline permanently. Renck reports that Richardson is being viewed as an option for a futures contract that will allow him to not count against the team’s 90-man roster.
They will be at Pittsburgh (8-5) on Sunday. Kubiak said in November that Manning would start when healthy. Said he will compare to what he remembers seeing from Manning before the Green Bay game.
Osweiler will make his fifth consecutive start. Osweiler was sacked five times – all by Khalil Mack – and the Broncos’ offense gained 310 total yards.
Rawls finishes the season with 830 yards rushing. His 67.6 quarterback rating was the lowest of his career. He has been treated for injuries to his right shoulder and ribs this season as well. Mallett started four games with the Texans before being cut on October2 7.
But there’s also one for Manning.
Right or wrong, a decision to put Osweiler back on the bench would leave a lot of fans bitter and likely harping every single poor throw Manning would make from there on out. And his postseason experience could prove vital when considering the possibility of Osweiler having to face the Steelers (again), Chiefs, Patriots and, should Denver reach the Super Bowl, whoever the NFC fields. He is expected to clear the protocol and play against the Steelers. His sometime neighbor, rookie swing tackle Max Garcia, agreed that the line needs to “take ownership” of its play against Oakland. Manning can be buttressed by that defense, rather than try to lead an offense that must carry the whole team.
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Manning spent a week in a hard cast and several more days in a walking boot after he was pulled from the lineup November 15. And as long as the Broncos were winning games, why mess with that dynamic? Osweiler has been very efficient for Denver in his time at quarterback. Osweiler has played reasonably well in Manning’s absence, but Sunday’s loss to the Raiders was a complete disaster for the Denver offense.
