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The last time we saw Peyton Manning on the turf at Sports Authority Field it was before Sunday night's game against the Patriots. He was in his civvies wearing a walking boot, sidelines by a torn plantar fascia injury that is supposed to keep him out "at least" two weeks.
And it could be a lot longer than that.
According to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, Manning isn't expected to be healthy "anytime soon." In fact, the organization could be a month off from having to decide between Manning and 25-year-old Brock Osweiler, who is 2-0 in two starts, including that Sunday night overtime win over the Patriots.
On Sunday, CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora wrote that the Manning era could already be over.
The Broncos' switch to Osweiler could end up being permanent. The staff is in no rush to get Manning back on the field, with the injured veteran's demotion already causing some friction between him and the team with the potential for things to escalate down the stretch. Manning is determined to play again in 2015 as he tries to get his plantar fascia healed, while the reality remains that if Osweiler is competent in the starting role it is highly unlikely the 39-year old will be Denver's regular starter again, and there is no expectation he would be back there next season.
Osweiler was more than competent on Sunday night, leading a fourth-quarter touchdown drive that briefly gave the Broncos the lead, and making throws that the 2015 version of Manning seems incapable of.
Here's Osweiler's line from the game: 23 of 42 for 270 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT. Efficient given the snowy conditions, but there were instances where you could say, "Yep, that's a mistake a young QB makes." But he also showed improvement from previous outings, and just as important -- at least when compared to Manning -- Osweiler has the athleticism and arm strength to run Kubiak's offense.
Worth mentioning: Tom Brady's line for the night -- 23 of 42, 280 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs.
For now, this is Osweiler's team. And it's not entirely clear if that will change in the coming weeks and months.
And it could be a lot longer than that.
According to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, Manning isn't expected to be healthy "anytime soon." In fact, the organization could be a month off from having to decide between Manning and 25-year-old Brock Osweiler, who is 2-0 in two starts, including that Sunday night overtime win over the Patriots.
On Sunday, CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora wrote that the Manning era could already be over.
The Broncos' switch to Osweiler could end up being permanent. The staff is in no rush to get Manning back on the field, with the injured veteran's demotion already causing some friction between him and the team with the potential for things to escalate down the stretch. Manning is determined to play again in 2015 as he tries to get his plantar fascia healed, while the reality remains that if Osweiler is competent in the starting role it is highly unlikely the 39-year old will be Denver's regular starter again, and there is no expectation he would be back there next season.
Osweiler was more than competent on Sunday night, leading a fourth-quarter touchdown drive that briefly gave the Broncos the lead, and making throws that the 2015 version of Manning seems incapable of.
Here's Osweiler's line from the game: 23 of 42 for 270 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT. Efficient given the snowy conditions, but there were instances where you could say, "Yep, that's a mistake a young QB makes." But he also showed improvement from previous outings, and just as important -- at least when compared to Manning -- Osweiler has the athleticism and arm strength to run Kubiak's offense.
Worth mentioning: Tom Brady's line for the night -- 23 of 42, 280 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs.
For now, this is Osweiler's team. And it's not entirely clear if that will change in the coming weeks and months.
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