The Denver Broncos will have Brock Osweiler starting in Week 14, but Peyton Manning is working his way back from an injury and could start throwing again this week. Manning has been out with a foot injury, but he is continuing his rehab work and reports have Manning getting closer to a return for the Broncos.
Osweiler has been starting for the past three weeks and the quarterback will start again this week against the Raiders, but there is a chance Week 15 could see the return of Manning. According to Pro Football Talk, head coach Gary Kubiak said that Manning is working his way back from his foot injury and he could "resume throwing" on Wednesday in practice for the Broncos. Kubiak added that Manning could continue to do more field work "depending on how things go" once he starts throwing again.
Manning initially was expected to miss "at least two weeks" with his injury and now things have pushed into another week and that means Osweiler will get the chance to start again. Manning could show enough progress to start in Week 15, but if that doesn't happen, Osweiler will likely start against the Steelers in Pittsburgh. The Raiders are on the schedule this week and Osweiler comes in after going 16-of-26 for 166 yards, a touchdown and an interception against the Chargers and he has continued to be solid while stepping in for Manning.
Osweiler has four touchdowns and two interceptions in the past three games that he has started and the Broncos now are in the top part of the AFC playoff picture. Manning had his cast removed last week off of his foot and that allowed him to start his rehab work for the Broncos. Manning will still need time to get back to full strength and Kubiak has said that once he is healthy he will start again.
CJ Anderson is coming into Week 14 after dealing with an ankle injury and he could be limited this week against the Raiders. According to ESPN.com, Kubiak said that Anderson is "very sore" and there is a chance that Anderson could miss some practice this week. Anderson could still be in line to play on Sunday, but it's likely that Ronnie Hillman will get the bulk of the carries if Anderson is banged up.
DeMarcus Ware was out again last week and there is chance he could be out against the Raiders in Week 14. According to the Denver Post, Ware travelled with the team to San Diego and his status this week in practice will determine if he can play or not this weekend. The Broncos are second in the conference behind the Bengals and the team will play against Cincinnati later in the season and can get the number one seed. The team has the same record as the Bengals and Patriots, but they have a head-to-head win against New England and can get the same against Cincinnati in a couple weeks.
