We already know the Denver Broncos will be without cornerback Aqib Talib for Sunday’s divisional showdown at Sports Authority field between the Broncos and Chiefs. Talib was suspended one game for an unnecessary “eye poke” against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9.

Linebacker DeMarcus Ware is also not expected to play on Sunday; he missed the second half in Indianapolis with a back issue and has not practiced this week. Even with a rapid recovery in the final days before the Week 10 matchup with the Chiefs, his playing time will be drastically reduced.

On the other side of the stadium, the Chiefs will be without running back Jamaal Charles, who went down for the year with a torn ACL in a Week 5 loss to Chicago.

Back on the Broncos’ sideline, there are massive questions about the status of Peyton Manning. The quarterback missed Wednesday’s practice and was limited on Thursday, reportedly suffering from a case of plantar fasciitis.

With only three yards needed to eclipse Brett Favre as the NFL’s all-time passing leader, and being just one victory away from breaking a tie with Favre for most all-time as a starting quarterback, there’s little doubt Manning will be on the field. But exactly how “present” Manning will be on Sunday is yet to be known.

Former Broncos safety Nick Ferguson joined Eric Goodman and Zach Fogg on Mile High Sports AM 1340 to discuss the impact of the veteran absences from this game.

Ferguson has little doubt that Manning will play on Sunday. While he’s never suffered from the same foot injury as Manning, he says he’s played alongside guys with the injury and says it’s going to be hard for the 39-year-old quarterback.

The pain can be severe, says Ferguson, especially when a player has to plant his foot like Manning does to throw. But Ferguson also suggests that the pain of plantar fasciitis will be small compared to Manning’s motivation to get the focus off of his last performance, in which he threw two interceptions, including one on his final possession of the game. That second interception came with a chance to break Favre’s record and lead the Broncos on a go-ahead drive.

There’s no doubt Manning’s foot is in pain, based on the reports. But the pain of failing to eclipse Favre, and doing so in the town where Manning spent the first 14 years of his career, has to hurt far more. Ferguson expects Manning to do anything necessary to get the focus off that last performance as quickly as possible. Whether that be a pill, a shot or “whatever.”

Listen to the full discussion with Ferguson, including how the Broncos will handle Ware’s potential absence and Charles’ replacement, Charcandrick West, in the podcast below…

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