Peyton Manning reportedly cleared after MRI, 'absolutely will play' vs. Chiefs

Peyton Manning said he 'plans' on playing in Week 11 against the Chiefs. (Donald Miralle/Getty Images) UPDATE (Monday, 2 p.m. ET): Peyton Manning aggravated

Peyton Manning said he 'plans' on playing in Week 11 against the Chiefs. (Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

UPDATE (Monday, 2 p.m. ET): Peyton Manning aggravated his right high ankle sprain in Sunday's game against the Chiefs but his latest MRI showed no new damage, Mike Klis of the Denver Postreported. A source told Klis that Manning "absolutely will play" in Week 11 against the Chiefs.

Manning, who has been dealing with a pair of sore ankles, struggled to get to his feet following a hit from Corey Liuget -- the Chargers' lineman wrapped Manning up just above the knees. The Broncos called a timeout so a limping Manning could stay in the game, and Manning took that extra moment to let the officials have it for not flagging Liuget.

"I'm pretty sore," Manning said after his team's 28-20 victory. "They kind of got me twice in that lower area. [I'll] get an MRI tomorrow and will know more then."

Manning did not specify which aching area of his body actually required the MRI, but he appeared to be favoring his right knee after the collision with Liuget.

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The 8-1 Broncos are about to embark on their most important stretch of games this season -- two with Kansas City (one home, one away) and a visit to New England. Currently in second place in the AFC West, the Broncos need at least a split against the Chiefs to maintain any real division-title hopes.

When he was asked if he would play next week vs. the Chiefs, Manning replied: "I certainly plan on it."

The undefeated Chiefs have run into a string of backup quarterbacks of late: Buffalo's Jeff Tuel, Cleveland's Jason Campbell and Houston's Case Keenum over the previous three games, plus Ryan Fitzpatrick in an earlier matchup with Tennessee. The No. 2 QB on Denver's roster, Brock Osweiler, has never made an NFL start and has attempted just seven regular-season passes in his career.

Tourek Williams