The Broncos expect to start Brock Osweiler at least one more game — and maybe more — while future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning rests and rehabilitates his injuries, CBS Sports reported, citing unidentified team sources.
Osweiler got his first career start Sunday in Chicago.
PHOTOS: Manning through the years | Why Broncos must bench Manning
Benched midway through last week's game against the Chiefs, Manning, 39, is dealing with a partially torn plantar fascia in his left foot in addition to rib and shoulder issues.
According to CBS Sports, it's very unlikely that coach Gary Kubiak will put Manning back in the lineup until he is able to practice regularly in game preparation. In fact, CBS Sports' sources said that if Osweiler manages the offense well, then he could keep the job "for the foreseeable future."
Osweiler's mobility opens up Kubiak's playbook, bringing moving pockets and bootlegs into play. Plus, he can work directly under center, rather than out of the shotgun as Manning usually does because of his limitations.
Still, the Broncos staff isn't so much looking for Osweiler to replicate Manning at his Hall of Fame best but rather to limit turnovers, convert third downs, sustain drives and keep Denver's top-notch defense in position to secure wins.
The Broncos play the Patriots next in what had been billed as perhaps the last regular-season matchup between Manning and New England's Tom Brady. Now, it looks more like the ongoing changing of the guard in Denver.
