Peyton Manning has partially torn plantar fascia

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning has a partially torn plantar fasciain his left foot; league sources told ESPN on Monday morning.

Some Broncos players told ESPN that Manning, who was pulled from Sunday's 29-13 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the third quarter, had difficulty walking last week.

Sources told ESPN that Manning has battled plantar fasciitis for weeks but is believed to have aggravated the injury against Indianapolis on Nov. the 8th, resulting in a partial tear of his plantar fascia. Almost always, a partial tear is more painful to play with than a complete tear.

"I'm disappointed that I'm injured", a somber Manning said at his locker. "I'm disappointed about that".

Coach Gary Kubiak said there is no quarterback controversy, as long as Manning is healthy. "I probably should have made the decision not to play him in the game".

Even after his coach removed him from the game, Peyton Manning stood on the sideline, helmet on, refusing to show any sign that he was anything less than ready to go back in.

Manning had one of the worst games of his career on Sunday against the Chiefs and now the Broncos will start Osweiler until Manning can get healthy enough to play again. He's a fourth-year pro from Arizona State whom GM John Elway selected in the second round of the 2012 draft with the explicit intention of serving as Manning's protégé and eventual successor. "He's been extremely supportive of me since Day 1, he's taught me so many things".

Fans and media (especially nationally) absolutely love to make excuses for Peyton when he plays poorly, and it's been a litany of injuries in the past year - injuries to everything BUT his arm.

We're focused on this week, then we'll re-evaluate next week.