Eli Manning tore the plantar fascia in his right foot in 2009 and has a message for those predicting older brother Peyton's demise because of a partial tear in his left foot:
"He'll be fine," Eli said (via the New York Daily News ).
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The differences — perhaps crucial — between the quarterbacking brothers' injuries: Peyton's partial tear of the plantar fascia generally is more painful than a complete tear, the younger Manning said, and Peyton is 39 while Eli was only 28 when he sustained the injury.
Eli played through the pain in an 8-8 season and said he needed “a few weeks” to heal.
“Mine was a full tear,” Eli said. “I don’t know what a partial tear feels like. I talked to him a little bit about it. Hopefully, he’ll figure out a way to feel as good as he can and get a plan for getting back to playing the way he knows how to play.”
Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said Monday that Brock Osweiler will start Sunday against the Bears and that there's no timetable for Manning’s return.
Although there's no set time line, Eli is confident that the question is when not if: “He’ll be fine. He’ll bounce back and hopefully get healthy. And, hey, they’re in a good spot. They’re 7-2. I’d take 7-2 with one four-interception game at this point.”