Peyton Manning not rushing return from injury

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – The biggest question about Peyton Manning’s status this week isn’t if he’ll play with the Denver Broncos against the San Diego Chargers – because he already has been ruled out – but when he gets the walking cast off his left foot.

That could come early in the week, or it might still be several days away, head coach Gary Kubiak said Monday. But even then, it won’t be a quick return for Manning to the practice field. Instead, it’ll be back to the training room for more rehab, leaving Brock Osweiler as the Broncos’ starter for the indefinite future.

“The number one guy I'm talking to on a regular basis is Peyton,” Kubiak said. “It's about his health, getting him back and ready to go.”

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So while it could look like a quarterback controversy is brewing now that Osweiler has won his two starts, including a 30-24 overtime win Sunday night against the New England Patriots, Kubiak insists there is no drama. He’s been in regular contact with Manning, including a long chat before kickoff on Sunday, and he said Manning spent time with Osweiler before the game and at halftime.

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“I think his frame of mind has been really good, I think he has a good feeling of, ‘This is what I needed to do,’” Kubiak said. “He understands the steps he needs to go through. He was very engaged yesterday and the course of the week. We just need to stay positive day to day, and he did a great job with Brock yesterday.”

Manning won’t be the only Bronco spending time in the training room as the team prepares to face the Chargers. Kubiak said he’s considering safety T.J. Ward (ankle), defensive tackle Sylvester Williams (ankle) and right guard Louis Vasquez each to be “day to day” with their injuries suffered Sunday night, though right now it appears unlikely any of them will be available against the Chargers.

“It’s going to take some work to get them back,” Kubiak said.

Losing Vasquez in the second quarter forced the Broncos to shuffle their offensive line – including inserting veteran Evan Mathis in at left guard in emergency duty, while moving rookie Max Garcia from left to right. Mathis was dealing with an ankle injury suffered last week against the Bears and was not supposed to play.

Follow Lindsay H. Jones on Twitter @bylindsayhjones.

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