Coach Gary Kubiak told reporters that Peyton Manning sat out Wednesday's practice because of a sore foot that has bothered the 39-year-old quarterback for a "couple weeks," per NFL Media's James Palmer.
Kubiak said that Manning came out of Sunday's defeat "really sore" after playing on the FieldTurf at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Broncos expect him to return to practice on Thursday.
So do we. An aging passer skipping a Wednesday session is hardly surprising. Besides, Manning looms as a candidate for regular rest days down the stretch as Denver aims to conserve his body for January's playoff push.
Of course, it was last winter that NFL Media's Albert Breer reported that Manning was diagnosed with a quad strain in December but kept the details largely to himself. This foot issue appears minor, but every season-long starting passer is dealing with some sort of physical setback as we approach Thanksgiving.
"Who's not sore (in Week 10)?" Manning asked the media. "Trying to get better; trying to get healthy."
Expect the maintenance days to continue for Manning deep into Denver's promising campaign.
