MRI shows no damage to Manning’s ankle

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The MRI determined the hit caused no further damage to Peyton Manning’s tender right ankle.

Now, Manning and the Broncos are curious what the NFL thinks of that hit.

Interim coach Jack Del Rio said the Broncos have sent replays to the league offices of Corey Liuget’s dive at Manning’s ankles in the closing minutes of Denver’s 28-20 win over San Diego.

“In the rules, there are certain areas you can hit and certain areas that are supposed to be protected,” Del Rio said Monday. “And we thought that got into an area that was supposed to be protected.”

Manning, whose ankles have been hurting since games against Jacksonville and Indianapolis last month, stayed down after Liuget dove at him following a completed pass that iced the game with 1:44 left. Manning limped through the rest of the game and in the locker room afterward.

An MRI on Monday showed no further damage to the ankle, which was heavily taped throughout the Chargers game. Del Rio said Manning would play next Sunday in Denver’s AFC West showdown against Kansas City. The quarterback’s practice schedule will be determined later in the week.

“But he’ll definitely play this week,” Del Rio said. “He’s ready to roll and that’s good news.”

Though it only lasted a brief moment, the sight of Manning wincing in pain on the ground served as a chilling reminder of how fragile Denver’s season could be. Manning added four more touchdowns against the Chargers to bring his total to 33 on the season — tied with Tom Brady for most through nine games in NFL history. But there’s still validity to the point Broncos executive John Elway’s made when he signed Manning two offseasons ago: “I don’t have a Plan B. We’re going with Plan A.”

On Monday, Del Rio was asked about Manning’s backup, Brock Osweiler: “A good young player that is better in his second year than he was as a rookie. Continuing to develop. The arrow is up on him.”

Manning got sacked two times against the Chargers and hit five more. He’s been sacked a total of 12 times and hit 27 in the seven games since Chris Clark replaced the injured Ryan Clady at left tackle. In three straight games, Clark has allowed Manning to be sacked and stripped from the blind side.

And next up come the Chiefs, who lead the league with 36 sacks, including 11 by Justin Houston and 9 by Tamba Hali.

“We’re definitely on high alert, wanting to protect our quarterback,” Del Rio said. “We didn’t do as well as we can and we needed to yesterday and we’ve got a big challenge going against a team that’s sacked quarterbacks more than any team in the league.”

Manning, who did not speak to reporters Monday, acknowledged after the game that he’d been having some trouble with the ankles the last few weeks.

“I’m pretty sore,” he said. “They got me twice and I was hoping to make some progress after the bye week, but I’m pretty sore.”

Notes: Del Rio said there was no structural damage to LB Nate Irving’s shoulder and said the team was hopeful Irving could return to practice this week. … The coach reported “no rust” in his first game serving as a head coach since November 2011, when he was let go by the Jaguars. He said coach John Fox was watching from his home in North Carolina. “I told him we were trying to make it a little bit easier finish for him. I was sorry we couldn’t extend the lead and make it where he could rest comfortably at home,” Del Rio said. … CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie sacrificed his starting spot Sunday to Quentin Jammer, a first-round pick of the Chargers in 2002 who was playing his first game in San Diego as a visitor. “That was cool,” Del Rio said.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.