The Denver Broncos announced that 4th year quarterback Brock Osweiler would remain the starter against the Cincinnati Bengals this Monday night.
After conversations this week with starter Peyton Manning, head coach Gary Kubiak said Manning isn’t quite ready to get back under center. He is still dealing with a torn plantar fascia on his left foot, the front foot of his throwing stance.
You have to be thinking that Kubiak and a certain Hall of Fame front office executive really want him to be back on the field, but he’s just not ready. Manning who has always been a ferocious competitor is listed as ‘out’ for practice this week after attempting to give it a go last week to no avail. He was taken out of practice Friday with the intention of maybe starting this week. With that option off the table, Manning will spend another week on the sidelines providing emotional support for his team, something that he is undoubtedly unhappy about.
After this week’s loss to Pittsburgh, Peyton told Denver Post columnist Mark Kiszla that it is ‘miserable’ not being able to play and appeared frustrated when asked about his willingness to play in a backup role.
“It’s a flat-out lie. It’s insulting. And it’s distracting. “That’s 100 percent bull—-. No. 1, it is bull—-. And No. 2, it’s insulting. The worst part about being hurt is that a lot of people seem to know everything about you and speak for you, even when it’s somebody you don’t even know.”
Whoa, Peyton. That’s a lot of emotion for a simple question about the depth chart.
Osweiler is 3-2 as a starter since taking over for an injured Manning in week 10. However, after jumping out to a 3-0 start, Osweiler is has gone through growing pains as the Broncos starter. Strong first half performances are mirrored by ineffective second halves. None were more glaring than last week when, after scoring two-year team high 27 first half points against the Steelers, the Broncos failed to score in the 3rd and 4th quarter allowing Pittsburgh to storm back from a 17-point deficit to eventually win.Broncos fans aren’t sure exactly which Osweiler will show up for the rest of the year. When he’s been good, he’s been real good. Outside of that he’s been really ordinary which might not cut it for a Broncos team that mathematically speaking can still miss the playoffs. Still, Manning will impatiently be waiting to take the reigns back just in time for the playoffs where he has struggled throughout his career.