National Football League

Broncos' Manning aims for milestone against Cardinals

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 1:42 p.m. ET

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TEMPE, Ariz. -- Denver quarterback Peyton Manning is one touchdown pass short of 500 for his career, and just nine short of tying Brett Favre for the most in NFL history, heading into this week's game with the Cardinals.

"If he gets nine I'm not getting on the plane," Cardinals coach Bruce Arians quipped. "I'll give him one."

The milestone is apparently talked about so little in the Broncos locker room that receiver Wes Welker didn't even know about. When asked if players were fighting to be the one on the receiving end of No. 500, here's what Welker said.

"Not really, man, just whatever way we can score and just go out and do that. I think we're good however it happens. How many is he away?" said Welker before being told it was just one. "Oh, OK. Well I'll be sure to try to get the ball then. it. Obviously, that's quite a milestone and a pretty cool deal."

The Cardinals re-signed inside linebacker Desmond Bishop on Wednesday. They had a roster spot open after releasing outside linebacker Victor Butler on Tuesday. Butler was released because outside linebacker Alex Okafor finally returned to practice this week after battling a thigh injury the first four weeks of the regular season, giving the Cardinals a surplus of players at that position.

The Cardinals also signed receiver Jalen Saunders to the practice squad to take the place of Teddy Williams, who was signed to the Chicago Bears' 53-man roster Wednesday. Saunders (5-9, 165) was a fourth-round selection (104th overall) of the New York Jets in this year's draft out of Oklahoma.

Bruce Arians said running back Andre Ellington is back practicing three days a week, suggesting that his foot injury has dramatically improved over where it was during the first three games of the season.

"He's not 100 percent but he's practicing," Arians said.

"We're going to get three good days out of him which should help him mentally. We'll just make sure he practices smart and doesn't really stick (the foot) in the ground, especially when we're on the turf." 

For the Cardinals, QB Carson Palmer (shoulder) did not practice. Left guard Paul Fanaika (knee), running back Andre Ellington (foot), punter Dave Zastudil (groin), defensive end Frostee Rucker (calf) and outside linebacker Alex Okafor (thigh) were limited. 

For the Broncos, safety David Bruton (ankle) didn't practice. Linebacker Lerentee McCray (knee) and guard Louis Vasquez (rib cage) were limited.

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