Week 10 Denver Broncos Injury Report: Info on Peyton Manning, Emmanuel Sanders

What a disastrous Sunday it was for the Denver Broncos last week. Peyton Manning now has plantar fasciitis, DeMarcus Ware tweaked his lower back, Emmanuel Sanders injured his ankle and, oh, the first loss of the season.

Head coach Gary Kubiak addressed the growing list of injuries Friday.

“Peyton Manning is listed as probable. He practiced today, practiced well,” Kubiak said. Manning has been playing with plantar fasciitis, (an inflammation of a thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes) and plans to play Sunday to make history against division rival Kansas City.

“Who’s not sore during—what week is this? Week nine, 10?” Manning said with a smirk on his face when asked Wednesday. “You have natural soreness, but get some treatment on it and hopefully get a little better tomorrow.”

“As far as how guys will be listed going into the game, DeMarcus Ware—obviously out,” Kubiak said when asked on the status of the outstanding outside linebacker. Ware first injured his back in Week Five in Oakland and it had been nagging him ever since. The 11-year veteran was able to suit up against the Green Bay Packers two weeks ago, but after aggravating the injury Sunday in the loss to the Indianapolis Colts, he is expected his to miss up to a month.

With Ware out, second-year stud Shaquil Barrett will earn more playing time than he’s seen in his NFL career, Kubiak said Thursday. Barrett has been a constant presence on the special teams unit while racking up 3.5 sacks and three forced fumbles for Denver in a backup role.

“Emmanuel Sanders will be questionable,” Kubiak said of the star wide receiver. “Emmanuel did not practice today. He came out, tried to go a little bit, still sore, so we’ll check him tomorrow—probably a game time decision.” Sanders did not practice all week but the ankle injury is not as serious as first thought. Sanders had a fantastic game on Sunday, accumulating 90 yards on six receptions, including a 64-yard bomb from Manning early in the third quarter. If Sanders can’t play, look for more of Bennie Fowler and Cody Latimer.

Rookie linebacker Shane Ray is expected to see the field for the first time since suffering a sprained MCL Week Six in Cleveland. “He’s fine. He’s good. He was full-go today. He’s had a really good week,” Kubiak explained. “That’s kind of a blessing for us because we didn’t know if he was going to be able to get there this week, but he’s been fine. He’s ready to go.”

Another notable set of injuries are to running backs C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman who are dealing with ankle and quadriceps problems respectively. When asked about the status of the running game, running backs coach Eric Studesville was quoted as saying, “I don’t know. We will talk about it and see how it goes.”

With all the injuries and troubles from last week’s debacle, history will still be made Sunday. Peyton Manning only needs three yard to pass all-time great Brett Favre for the most passing yards in NFL history; Manning will be on the field, even if it’s one foot. If the Broncos find a way to win, Manning will take two records from Favre, in passing yards and wins.