Week 11 injury report: Peyton Manning and DeMarcus Ware will not travel with the team

Peyton Manning will have his 62-game starting streak for the orange and blue come to an end Sunday. In fact, Manning will not even travel with the team.

“The plan was in place all week to have Manning stay in Denver,” head coach Gary Kubiak answered when he was asked about the plan to keep Manning from the game. “I talked to (head athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos) Greek. Greek and I talked last night about it, but this had been the thought process all week. Away from ball, away from meetings and just focused on getting healthy. It’s been that way with both (Manning and DeMarcus Ware), so it hasn’t changed.”

This will be the first game Manning will miss for the home town team and will give fourth-year backup Brock Osweiler his first start in the NFL, on his 25th birthday.

Another pivotal part to the 7-2 start that will be missing Sunday’s matchup is Ware. Ware will also stay in Denver to heal a lower back; an injury that has kept the perennial pro-bowler sidelined for two of Denver’s last four games.

Ware was asked about the rehab process and how it was going, “It’s been going really well. It’s a day-to-day thing, but I am improving every day and trying to get ready for next week.” When asked about his return for next week when Denver hosts the defending Superbowl champions, Ware was short and to the point, “Yeah, trying to.”

Young stars Shaquil Barrett and Shane Ray will be expected to step up in Ware’s absence.

Wide out Emmanuel Sanders was limited in practice all week due to an ankle injury but is expected to be on the field for the 11 a.m. start time. Sanders will be a game-time decision.

“Emmanuel did a little bit today. It’s a cold, windy day. He came out and got going. We did some other periods, defensive periods, and he stiffened up a little bit, so we took him out the rest of practice,” Kubiak said. “I think he has a chance. We’ll see where he is tomorrow and see how he does before the game.”

These Broncos are beat up, badly. Resting players seems to be the best option at the moment. Chicago is on the upswing and playing its best football of the season. Quarterback Jay Cutler has played seven straight games without throwing multiple interceptions; the longest streak of his career. Chicago will be ready Sunday when Denver arrives at Soldier Field.

Even with the Bears playing well, they are no New England who Denver plays next week on Sunday night. These Broncos must be healthy by then.

Chicago Bears injury report