The Denver Broncos quarterback situation could be getting messy. Brock Osweiler has kept the team in playoff contention heading into the final stretch of games and is looking more and more confident on the field. However, Peyton Manning is getting healthy and could be back on the field this week which could pressure head coach Gary Kubiak to put the veteran back into the game regardless.
According to the Denver Post, Manning is set to resume on-field activities as early as Wednesday as the quarterback continues to heal from partially torn left plantar fasica. Kubiak confirmed the return of the quarterback who has reportedly been throwing indoors for the past week and is feeling better. Manning is no longer wearing a boot and the return to practice could mean he sees game time soon. Regardless of what Manning does this week, Osweiler has been confirmed as the starting quarterback.
"Peyton worked hard through the weekend, worked hard [Monday]," Kubiak said, via ESPN.com. "... I think [Tuesday] is kind of a rest day for him. Nothing will change this week as far as Brock's our starter and what we're doing.''
According to Kubiak, the team is taking things slow with Manning. Is that intentional? It is no secret that Osweiler is getting the job done right now and proving to have the hot hand. He has five touchdowns and three interceptions on the season with a 61.3 completion percentage. He is learning on the field, but getting the production necessary to win all three games he has started. Kubiak simply said that Manning is following the team plan.
The process is, the thought is, maybe starting Wednesday, depending on how things go, we start to throw, start to do a little bit on-the-field type of stuff," Kubiak said, via ESPN.com. "Working toward some football things this week, but it has been a good week for him."
Injuries could play a role in what happens in Week 14. The Broncos are at risk of being without CJ Anderson who has been thriving over the past few weeks. After a slow start to the season, Anderson has come alive the past two weeks which is a big reason why the Broncos are winning right now. However, according to Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com, Anderson might not be available in Week 14 due to an ankle injury. Kubiak confirmed the injury which could make Ronnie Hillman a fantasy starter for Week 14 as the Broncos focus on the run game.
"We have to establish our dominance as being the Broncos," Hillman said, via ESPN.com. "We have to continue to win and just keep winning and keep stacking them ... I think we can do that if we keep running the ball like we have been, just staying with it."
Asp layers like Demaryius Thomas and Owen Daniels improve, having the run game match their production will be critical. Losing Anderson might be a blow to that as the Broncos prepare to face the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.