Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and cornerback Chris Harris Jr. both participated in practice Wednesday, according to the team’s website.
Manning made his first start in nine weeks in Denver’s AFC Divisional Playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He previously dealt with foot and rib injuries that led to his benching in a Week 10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He returned to play the second half of a Week 17 win over the San Diego Chargers on Jan. 3 before the playoff matchup with the Steelers.
Broncos coach Gary Kubiak told the media Wednesday that Manning would be the quarterback in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots unless he and the medical staff have reason to believe Manning’s left foot injury flares up and the QB is unable to protect himself or throw the ball, per ESPN. He added that, despite clear offensive struggles against the Steelers, he never considered replacing Manning with backup Brock Osweiler.
Harris also was spotted on the practice field after playing through a shoulder injury against the Steelers. He suffered the injury against the Chargers in Week 17.
“I’ll keep getting treatment, doing whatever I need to do, I’ll be out there no question,” Harris said Monday, via ESPN. “You can’t miss this kind of game … I mean, we have played against their offense like a billion times, man. We know they are going to put us in a lot of motions, check our tools and our coverages. You want to play against great players like (Tom) Brady, a great team, like them.”
Thumbnail photo via Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports Images
