Green Bay Packers

Morgan Burnett could give Packers a boost with Peyton Manning up next

Published Oct. 27, 2015 11:40 a.m. ET

foxsports

After a much-needed bye week, the Green Bay Packers are getting healthier. One of the key players who could return to action against the Denver Broncos on Sunday night is starting safety Morgan Burnett, according to Ryan Wood of Press-Gazette Media.

Burnett is back on the practice field this week after missing five of the Packers' first six games of the season. The only game he played was against the Seattle Seahawks in Week two; he had three tackles in that 27-17 victory.

This week's Broncos matchup might be Green Bay's biggest battle since that Seahawks game. Burnett hopes to give his defense a lift against quarterback Peyton Manning, a revered professional who will hurt an undermanned or unprepared Packers defense.

The numbers (seven touchdowns, 10 interceptions in 2015) and eye test tell us that Manning is on the decline, but Burnett's still not taking him lightly, per Press-Gazette Media.

#Packers S Morgan Burnett not underestimating Peyton Manning: "His body of work speaks for itself. He’s a great quarterback, great leader."
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) October 26, 2015

Micah Hyde has filled in admirably at safety this season, but the Packers are even better when Burnett is roaming the defensive backfield. The former third-round draft pick has been a full-time starter for years, so his expertise should add a level of aplomb to Green Bay's secondary on Sunday.