Denver Broncos

Report: No guarantee Peyton Manning will play again in 2015

Published Nov. 27, 2015 9:32 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Denver Broncos have announced that Peyton Manning will miss at least the next two games, and it’s fair to wonder if we will see the 39-year-old quarterback again this season.

On Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Manning is more likely to miss a minimum of three weeks while recovering from a foot injury.

“The official release was that Manning would be out at least two weeks -- my understanding is it’s at least three weeks (from playing),” Rapoport said. “Here’s why: He’s going to be in a cast for up to 10 days, then he’s got another week of rehab, and then he’s got to try to get on the field. So the date to circle on your calendar is Dec. 20 against the Steelers. That’s the most realistic date that Manning could be back, but no one has guaranteed to me that he’ll definitely be back on the field, especially if Brock Osweiler is playing well.”

A Broncos PR person said Rapoport’s report is inaccurate.

Inaccurate. Nothing has changed from what the coach said. Unavailable for at least two games & evaluated after that. https://t.co/0hxkrp2mHm
— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) November 26, 2015

Manning’s health aside, there’s no guarantee Gary Kubiak gives him his job back if Brock Osweiler plays well. Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots will be incredibly important in determining both Osweiler’s and Manning’s future. If Osweiler plays well and Denver hands the Patriots their first loss of the season, Kubiak would have to consider keeping Manning sidelined.

Given some of the rumblings we have heard about Manning’s intentions for 2016, it’s safe to assume he wants to play again this year. But Denver was basically winning in spite of him when he was on the field. Was that due to injury or age? Probably a lot of both.

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