Broncos coach Gary Kubiak told reporters he wanted to meet individually with Peyton Manning on Monday and Tuesday before definitively naming a starting quarterback for Sunday's game in Pittsburgh.
After Kubiak did so, the Broncos said Tuesday evening that Manning would return to practice on Wednesday, but Brock Osweiler will start against the Steelers.
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On the previous four Mondays, Kubiak declared Osweiler as the starter for that week, but given at least three chances to do so Monday for the Steelers game, Kubiak declined.
“I mean, nothing has changed. Until I sit down and see exactly where Peyton's at, where we're moving this week. If we went out to practice today, absolutely nothing has changed today,” Kubiak said Monday, via USA Today.
After speaking with Manning and trainer Steve Antonopulos, Kubiak mapped out a practice plan for Manning this week, but his partially torn left plantar fascia will keep him out Sunday.
“That's the next step, that he's coming back to practice," Kubiak said Monday. "And if you're coming back to practice, then you're working toward getting back on the field at playing. So let me see where we're at. I know how we ended last week."
If Manning practices this week, it would be a significant step toward being available to play, if not this week then perhaps Dec. 28 against the Bengals (10-3) as a test of sorts before the playoffs. Denver also is 10-3; Pittsburgh is 8-5.
Manning resumed throwing last week but did his limited on-field work away from practice time.
With Manning out, Osweiler has a 3-1 record as the starter. On Sunday, he hit career highs in attempts (51), completions (35) and yards (308), but the Broncos lost to the Raiders 15-12 and haven't scored a touchdown in 23 consecutive possessions over the past two games. Also, Osweiler has been sacked 17 times in 18 quarters.
