Peyton Manning Reportedly Not Involved with Preparing Brock Osweiler for Bears

The Denver Broncos want Peyton Manning to focus strictly on rehab and treatment; they don't want him involved in any way as the Broncos prepare for their Week 11 game against the Chicago Bears.

James Palmer of NFL Media reported on TNF Gameday that the Broncos are keeping Manning out of the loop with Brock Osweiler set to make his first career start in Chicago on Sunday (h/t Dan Hanzus of NFL.com). Manning has not been at any practices this week, nor has he had any conversations with Osweiler leading up to this weekend.

According to Hanzus, Palmer said over two dozen Broncos players have told him there's no set timetable for when Manning will return. These same players also don't know the extent of Manning's injuries but figure the foot is the biggest concern.

All of this is the work of Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak, according to Palmer, and it's unclear if Manning will even make the trip with the team to Soldier Field.

Manning is suffering from a torn plantar fascia and will miss his first start since 2011, his final season with the Indianapolis Colts, which he sat out after undergoing neck surgery. The new record holder for career passing yards is coming off a four-interception performance against the Kansas City Chiefs in which Coach Kubiak benched him for Osweiler. 

While it may not seem to make sense to keep Manning out of the loop because of his 18 years of experience, Gary Kubiak and staff know Manning is still vital to the team's Super Bowl hopes. With that knowledge, it's necessary to protect his health at whatever cost possible.