Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning returned to practice Wednesday for the first time in a month, going through drills in the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse.
Manning, out since Nov. 15 with a torn plantar fascia in his left foot, worked under center, executed dropbacks, threw from the shotgun formation and performed in 7-on-7 drills, showing encouraging progress since his last game action.
“He took a step forward today,” Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said.
Brock Osweiler will remain the starter with Trevor Siemian as the backup. Manning will not be on the active roster Sunday at Pittsburgh.
Kubiak would not address the quarterback situation beyond this week. He said he doesn’t view it as a distraction.
“The team knows exactly what’s going on (at the quarterback position) because they’re out there every day,” Kubiak said.
In the worst performance of his career, Manning completed five-of-20 passes with four interceptions in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Nov. 15. Aggressive treatment of his foot injury followed, beginning with rest, a walking cast, and finally a boot. Manning made enough strides to throw for 30 minutes a day last Wednesday through Friday. Kubiak attended one of the sessions and watched two on video.
With no setbacks, Manning was cleared for additional work this Wednesday.
“It was good to see him back. I know he was happy to be back, and everybody was excited to see him. That’s no disrespect to Brock,” said Broncos receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who gave Osweiler an “A-plus” for his play the past four weeks. “Obviously, Peyton has been battling a lot of injuries. He looked good out there.”
Kubiak will evaluate Manning in practice before deciding when he’s available to play. Players of his stature can play in games without practice, but this situation is different because he has been sidelined for so long.
“You need to be able do during the week what you’d need to do on Sunday,” Kubiak said.
The Broncos have been careful not to make a decision regarding their future at the quarterback position. Osweiler has gone 3-1 as a starter while Manning has been out, but has not been given the job permanently.
The next step for Manning is to see how his foot responds to increased activity and intensity. The pain can be managed, but can he perform at a high level? Manning led the Broncos to a 7-2 record as a starter, but has thrown 17 interceptions, worst in the NFL. Osweiler has played well, but the offense has skidded in recent weeks. Denver has not scored an offensive touchdown in 23 consecutive possessions dating to their first drive at San Diego on Dec. 6.
“I believe Brock will play well. But I am not looking beyond this week,” Kubiak said.
Troy E. Renck: trenck@denverpost.com or @troyrenck
