NFL GAME RECAP

Report: Manning played with torn right quad

The Sports Xchange

January 12, 2015 at 1:22 pm.

Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) after their loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Colts won 24-13. Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning reportedly played the final month of the season, including Sunday’s divisional playoff loss, with a torn right quad.

Two sources told ESPN that Manning initially injured his thigh when he rolled out right to throw a 12-yard completion to wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders late in the first half of Denver’s Dec. 14 win over the San Diego Chargers. Following the game, Manning said he injured his leg on a throw to Sanders, but an MRI reportedly confirmed the tear.

Over the team’s last four regular-season games and Sunday’s 24-13 playoff loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Manning accounted for four touchdowns and eight turnovers. Manning finished 26-of-46 passing for 211 yards and a touchdown against the Colts.

Manning said after the game that he must process the loss before he decides whether this was his final NFL season.

“My mindset right now is just disappointment after (Sunday’s) game,” Manning said. “I kind of need to process this game and we’ll meet (Monday), kind of need to process this game, so I’m disappointed right now.”

Asked again if he plans to play in 2015, Manning was noncommittal.

“Yeah, I guess I just can’t give that simple answer. I’m processing it. I can’t say that. I could not say that,” he said.

Manning, who turns 39 in two months, lost for the ninth time in a playoff opener and completed only six passes that traveled more than five yards.

The Broncos, who went to the Super Bowl last season but were blown out by the Seattle Seahawks, now being bounced in the AFC divisional playoffs will set in motion an offseason that could bring significant changes to Denver.

The team listed Manning with a thigh injury late in the season, but it was not described as a tear until Monday’s report. Broncos doctors knew about the injury, and Manning apparently did what he could to intentionally conceal the injury from as many people as he could.

Over the last nine games of the season, the Broncos went 6-3 and Manning threw 17 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

“I didn’t play as well consistently in the second half of the season,” Manning said. “I can’t give you a great reason for that. Played well at times, but probably not as consistently, certainly didn’t play as consistently in the second half of the season as I did in the first half.”

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