Peyton Manning to play Sunday against Chiefs

It looks like the Chiefs won’t be facing another backup quarterback on Sunday night.

MRI tests on Denver quarterback Peyton Manning’s lower leg revealed no new structural damage, interim Broncos coach Jack Del Rio said Monday. Manning, the NFL’s leader in passing yards and touchdowns, was assisted by trainers a day earlier after being hit late in a game at San Diego.

The Broncos, 8-1, play host to the 9-0 Chiefs at 7:30 p.m. on NBC’s “Sunday Night Football.”

“He’ll definitely play this week, he’s ready to roll, and that was great news,” said Del Rio, Denver’s defensive coordinator, who has assumed head coaching duties while John Fox recovers from heart surgery.

While Manning was throwing the final pass in a 28-20 win over the Chargers, San Diego lineman Corey Liuget hit the quarterback around the ankles. Manning was noticeably limping as he finished the game.

Manning, who originally hurt both ankles last month, had an MRI on Monday morning.

The Chiefs’ last five victories have come against teams starting either backup or inexperienced quarterbacks: Tennessee’s Ryan Fitzpatrick, Oakland’s Terrelle Pryor, Houston’s Case Keenum, Cleveland’s Jason Campbell and Buffalo’s Jeff Tuel.

This story was originally published November 11, 2013 at 2:42 PM with the headline "Peyton Manning to play Sunday against Chiefs."