Gary Kubiak Comments on Peyton Manning, Brock Osweiler and Broncos QB Position

Quarterback Peyton Manning hasn't been active since the Denver Broncos' 29-13 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Nov. 15, but that will likely all change this Sunday against the San Diego Chargers. 

According to the team's official Twitter account, head coach Gary Kubiak told reporters Wednesday that assuming all goes well in practice this week, Manning will serve as Brock Osweiler's backup with an AFC West title on the line.     

"Manning being healthy is a great thing for this football team, him being available," Kubiak said. 

However, the 54-year-old coach strongly reiterated the team will not waver from its plan to have Osweiler operate as the conductor under center. 

"Brock’s our quarterback—nothing has changed from that standpoint. [Manning] being available is a change," Kubiak said, per the team's Twitter account. "... [Osweiler] is our guy. He's doing a hell of a job. We'll keep moving forward."

NFL Network's Albert Breer noted a backup role is uncharted territory for the future Hall of Famer:

Based on the way Manning performed prior to tearing the plantar fascia in his left foot, it's hardly a shock to see Kubiak stick with what's worked.

The Broncos are 4-2 in Osweiler's starts, and he's completed 61.7 percent of his passes for 1,735 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions during his trial run as the team's quarterback. 

Conversely, Manning completed 59.9 percent of his passes for 2,180 yards, nine touchdowns and a league-worst 17 interceptions in just nine games before sitting out to rehabilitate his left foot.

Although one of Osweiler's more underwhelming statistical performances (166 yards, one touchdown, one interception) to date came in Denver's 17-3 win over the Chargers on Dec. 6, the Broncos are 2-1 at home when the fourth-year signal-caller starts. The lone loss came in a sloppy 15-12 affair with the Oakland Raiders on Dec. 13. 

Fresh off an overtime victory against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night, the Broncos should be motivated to slay the Chargers and wrap up their fifth straight division title.