National Football League

Peyton Manning reportedly intends to return for 2015 season

Published Jan. 21, 2015 11:25 a.m. ET

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Looks like the Denver Broncos could have Peyton Manning back for next season.

Manning intends to return for his 18th season but won't and can't make a final decision until he takes an annual physical examination required by his contract, The Denver Post reported Wednesday.

Manning helped the Broncos to a 12-4 mark last season and their fourth consecutive playoff berth despite playing hurt over the last month. But their playoff run was abruptly ended by the Indianapolis Colts in the divisional round.

Manning injured his right thigh late in the first half of a 22-10 win at San Diego on Dec. 14 and missed a handful of snaps to get treatment just before halftime. He returned to play the entire second half and didn't miss any more time with the injury.

It clearly affected his play, however, culminating with eight overthrows in Denver's 24-13 loss to the Colts last weekend. He also had an incompletion into tight coverage on a third-and-5 play in which he bypassed the run even though he had a 20-yard gap between him and any defender.

Manning blamed the thigh injury on dehydration from a nasty flu bug the night before the game. The injury also forced him to pull out of Sunday's Pro Bowl.

He threw for 4,727 yards with 39 touchdowns and 15 interceptions but following the Broncos' stunning loss to the Colts, questions lingered about his status for next season.

Manning guided the Broncos to the Super Bowl during the 2013 season but fell short of the ultimate goal, losing to the Seahawks, 43-8. Manning set single-season NFL records for passing yards (5,477) and passing touchdowns (55) in 2013, two years after missing the 2011 season to have neck surgery.

Manning, who turns 39 in March, has two years and $38 million left on his five-year contract.

Manning's decision will be the second major move of the team's offseason after parting ways with head coach John Fox.

GM John Elway met with Manning last week and asked him not to make a rash decision. Elway said he'd check in with Manning during his search for a new head coach but didn't need a decision from his quarterback for a month or so.

The Broncos ended up hiring Gary Kubiak to replace Fox.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.