As of this moment, Osweiler’s limited participation isn’t a huge deal, since the Broncos were planning to start Peyton Manning anyway.
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Hope for the best with injuriesJan 9, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) is carted off the field after being injured during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Paul Brown Stadium.
In fact, Kubiak and many Broncos have said Manning gives Denver the best chance to win.
Osweiler sprained his right knee in that game. I’m cutting him. That’s where I am at with it because the (expletive) really (expletive) me off last time. “I needed that time in order to get healthy certain parts of my body”. “That’s be best way to keep him from getting hit”.
Manning, who missed the equivalent of seven weeks with a left foot injury, makes his first start since November 15 when the Broncos (12-4) host the sixth-seeded Steelers (11-6) on Sunday.
Maybe Ben Roethlisberger should consider throwing with his left hand.
Manning entered the Broncos’ regular-season finale with just over eight minutes remaining in the third quarter and led the Broncos on four scoring drives during a comeback win over the San Diego Chargers. He spent the portion of practice that was open to the media Wednesday working on the side with strength and conditioning coach Luke Richesson.
Potentially not having Antonio Brown and DeAngelo Williams available, coupled with the limited Ben Roethlisberger bodes well for the Broncos to get to the AFC title game, so long as they play intelligently on defense and can effectively march down the field on offense.
“As far as total healing process, that’s going to take place after the season”, Kubiak said. “If I can’t throw the ball more than 30 yards, then I’m going to have to tell coach and he’s going to have to make a decision”. “So, I don’t think we put ourselves in that situation”. If we can, any way possible, pain medicine whatever it is, if I have to be in pain the next day, then I’ll deal with it. It’s an injury he figures won’t be 100 percent until the offseason.
“I looked at him, he looked at me and we knew where we were”, Tomlin said.
But some also insist that just being where they are is sufficient motivation.
Later in a conference call with Denver reporters, Big Ben added that he will participate in some of today’s practice. “We will increase his activity as the week goes”.
Roethlisberger’s health and availability are a bit murkier.
“That’s just who I am”. He said Wednesday, though, he doesn’t feel any additional pressure heading into Sunday’s game.
Tomlin admitted the idea of playing without the NFL’s second-leading receiver is “unpleasant” but one he’ll have to consider after Brown took a shoulder to the head from Burfict with 22 seconds to go. They have the No. 1 defense in the world for a reason. “It’s not something we’re unused to”.
Even if they’re at full strength, Roethlisberger said the Steelers will face a tougher test in the rematch. That would change if he takes an injection before the game against the Broncos. “Regardless of what happened last game, we expect them to play”.
NOTES: OLB Von Miller and G Robert Myers Jr. were sent home sick before practice….
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Michael Vick said he did get some first-team snaps on offense, but only in the run game.
