Report: Peyton Manning Practices With Broncos Scout Team In Return
BOSTON (CBS) -- Peyton Manning made his much-anticipated return to practice for the Broncos on Wednesday, but his reps were not for the first team. In fact, they weren't even for the second team.
To the surprise of Brock Osweiler, who reportedly has been named the starting quarterback for the Broncos on Sunday, Manning practiced with the scout team.
"It was a little strange to see Peyton take those scout team reps today," Osweiler told reporters at practice. "But once again that's something that's out of my control. I was told to go to the first-team huddle and you're the starter this week. And that's what I did."
For those who are unfamiliar with scout teams, they are the unit that simulates the opponent's offense in practice based on scouting reports. It is typically made up of a team's practice squad and third-string players - which ostensibly makes Manning the Broncos' third-string quarterback right now.
The Broncos play at the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, which means Manning had to simulate Ben Roethlisberger. It must have been an interesting-looking practice with Manning trying to replicate Roethlisberger's arm strength.
Before you bury Manning forever ... it is not unprecedented for an injured quarterback to return to practice with the scout team. It happened right here in New England: Drew Bledsoe returned from his collapsed lung in 2001 only to practice with the scout team. Bill Belichick declared Tom Brady the starter after Bledsoe was fully healthy.
This obviously means that Manning will spend another Sunday on the sidelines as he continues to recover from plantar fasciitis that has kept him out of action since the middle of Week 10 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Those who hope for Manning to eventually regain the starting job will have to be more patient and perhaps temper their expectations. Based on the precedent set by the Patriots, the odds are not good that Gary Kubiak will give Manning the job back.
If you're like me and believe that Manning doesn't deserve to regain the starting job based on how he had played this season, you have another strong piece of evidence to cite. But hey, it could be worse ... he could be a QB practicing with the scout team as a safety.
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read more from Matt here. Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.