The Denver Broncos have Peyton Manning back in Week 17, but the quarterback will not start on Sunday and will instead serve as the backup for Brock Osweiler. The Broncos have plenty to play for this week, as the team can clinch the AFC West and a first round bye in the playoffs with a victory.
Manning has been dealing with a foot injury and has not been active for the Broncos, but he will be back on the sidelines for the first time since being replaced by Osweiler. According to Pro Football Talk, Manning said to reporters that he will be the number two quarterback on Sunday and that he will help Osweiler and the team in any way that he can. Trevor Siemian had been serving as the backup for Osweiler while Manning has been out.
Head coach Gary Kubiak has said numerous times that Manning would be the starter once he was healthy enough to play, but clearly in Week 17 that isn't happening. Kubiak may see Manning as healthy enough to be active but not to start and since the Broncos have already clinched a playoff spot, he may want to give Manning more time to heal up. The Broncos are making the playoffs as either a wild card or the AFC West division champs and the main issue will be whether Manning starts in the playoffs over Osweiler.
Manning has played in nine games this season and has just nine touchdowns with 17 interceptions, but if Osweiler struggles, expect Manning to get back his starting job. There could be an intriguing situation if Osweiler has a great game on Sunday in the finale, as the Broncos could consider starting him again in the playoffs, but the team is not at that juncture yet.
The Broncos would like to get the first round bye, as that would help Manning get healthy and guarantee the team a home playoff game. Ronnie Hillman and CJ Anderson are both going to get a lot of work in Week 17, as the Broncos have been trying to push the run game with Osweiler at quarterback. Anderson had to leave the game last week with a back injury, but the injury is not serious and he is expected to play on Sunday.