Peyton Manning Injury Update: Broncos Announce QB Out at Least 2 Weeks

If Peyton Manning is going to play for the Denver Broncos again, it won't happen before Week 14 against the Oakland Raiders. 

As Andrew Mason of Broncos.com reported Tuesday, Dr. Robert Anderson recommended Manning stay in his walking cast for "at least" one more week. Once he's able to shed the cast, he will commence "additional rehabilitation" on his injured left foot. 

Denver head coach Gary Kubiak said he and Manning have discussed a strategy for the former NFL MVP's eventual return, per Mason:

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Peyton and I had a good visit today, and we've got a plan in place for his recovery. His foot will be in a cast for at least a week, but he'll be able to be part of meetings and do some workouts with the rest of the team. 

We expect him to be unavailable for at least a couple of games. We'll proceed from there and will continue to support him as he does everything he can to get healthy.

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Following Denver's 29-13 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 10 in which Manning went 5-of-20 with 35 yards and four interceptions before being benched in the third quarter, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Manning was dealing with a "partially torn plantar fascia in his left foot."

Manning missed the Broncos' Week 11 contest because of the injury, with backup quarterback Brock Osweiler helping lead the team to a 17-15 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday in his first NFL start. The 25-year-old signal-caller went 20-of-27 with 250 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions against Chicago.

Given Manning's current time frame, he will miss Sunday's showdown against the New England Patriots and next week's AFC West matchup with the San Diego Chargers. The Broncos have been able to succeed in spite of Manning when he was healthy, going 7-2 in their first nine games as the future Hall of Famer had just nine touchdown passes and 17 interceptions. 

The Broncos will try to respect Manning as a person and player, but Kubiak should tread lightly once the 39-year-old is healthy enough to return. The quarterback who was on the field before the injury sidelined him wasn't the same guy who won five MVP awards. 

Denver's roster is stacked with talent, especially on defense, so if Osweiler continues to play smart, efficient football, the coaching staff will face a difficult decision if, or when, Manning is able to play again in 2015.