The first injury report for Week 15 is out and there’s some good news for the Denver Broncos.

First, the list is smaller than last week (although not by much). By the end of Week 14, the Broncos injury report had swelled to 22 players – more than 40 percent of the active roster. This week it’s down to 20. Not great progress, but progress nonetheless.

The other good news is that several players who did not practice at all, or at least until Friday of last week were participants on the first day of practice this week.

Omar Bolden (hamstring) and Danny Trevathan (concussion), who did not practice at all last week were limited today. David Bruton (knee) and Ronnie Hillman (foot), who only practiced Friday last week, were limited and practiced in full Wednesday.

Sylvester Williams (ankle) was also back to being a full participant on Wednesday. He was only a full participant on Friday of last week.

Vernon Davis was removed from the list after clearing concussion protocol and playing in last Sunday’s game. DeMarcus Ware (back) was a full participant, as well.

Perhaps the biggest positive, though, was Peyton Manning‘s (foot) return to the practice field. While Brock Osweiler has already been tabbed as the starter against Pittsburgh, Manning’s participation starts to set a timetable for his return.

There were some concerning names on the list, however.

Veterans Owen Daniels (knee) and Evan Mathis (ankle) did not practice, nor did Darian Stewart (hamstring) or T.J. Ward (ankle). C.J. Anderson (ankle), who was active but did not play against Oakland, was also held out again with a hamstring. That makes five key starters who were not on the field for the first action of the week.

Todd Davis (shoulder), who played well in place of Trevathan last week, and Lerentee McCray (hamstring) also did not practice.

The full practice report, courtesy of Broncos media relations, is below.

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