Broncos' Peyton Manning out two more weeks with torn plantar fascia

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Call it doctor's orders.Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning will wear a walking cast on his injured left foot for the next week and will miss, at minimum, the next two games after getting a second opinion on a partially torn plantar fascia.

Manning, who missed the Broncos' 17-15 victory over the Chicago Bearson Sunday, was in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Monday to consult with Dr. Robert Anderson, a noted orthopedic surgeon who specializes in foot and ankle injuries. Manning returned to Denver on Tuesday and met with Broncos coach Gary Kubiak, as well as the team's medical staff.

Anderson's recommendation, according to the Broncos, is for Manning to wear a cast for the next week and, after the cast is removed, begin the next round of treatment on the injury.

In a statement, Kubiak said: "Peyton and I had a good visit [Tuesday], and we've got a plan in place for his recovery. His foot will be in a cast for at least a week, but he'll be able to be part of meetings and do some workouts with the rest of the team. We expect him to be unavailable for at least a couple of games. We'll proceed from there and will continue to support him as he does everything he can to get healthy.''

The Broncos face the New England Patriotson Sunday night at Sports Authority Field at Mile High and play theChargersin San Diego the following week.

With Manning's absence extended, the Broncos are planning to work out former Vikings QB Christian Ponder on Wednesday and sign him if the workout goes well.

Kubiak has consistently called Manning's recovery a "day-to-day, week-to-week'' affair. The fact that Manning will be put in a cast reflects the need for him to take weight off his injured foot and immobilize the area.

The Broncos did not allow Manning to participate in meetings or practices last week, and the 39-year-old quarterback did not travel with the team to Chicago. Instead, he received treatment at the Broncos' complex in suburban Denver.

Kubiak said Monday that the decision for Manning to visit Anderson was made Saturday. Kubiak also said decisions about how to proceed in Manning's treatment would be made when Manning returned from Charlotte on Tuesday.

"When he gets back, we'll put our heads together as far as how that goes and how we proceed this week,'' Kubiak said.

Other than 2011, when Manning had spinal fusion surgery and missed the season, Sunday's game was the first start Manning missed in his other 17 seasons. Brock Osweiler started in Manning's place and finished 20-of-27 passing for 250 yards and two touchdowns in the win. On Wednesday, he was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week.

Over the past month, Manning has been treated for a right shoulder injury and a rib injury, as well as the plantar fascia injury.

Earlier this week, when asked about Manning's mindset at the moment, Kubiak said, "Peyton's frustrated with the fact that he's injured, you know what I mean? That's hard for him, but he's been great with me. We had a good long conversation [Monday]. We've had many. We talk all the time. That part is frustrating for him, but he is very excited for his football team.

"I can tell you that he is doing everything he can possibly do to get himself healthy and get back in position to get back on the field. Going through stuff like this is aggravating for anybody, but his frame of mind is as good as it can be.''