The 2016 NFL season has been marred by some high-profile injuries, and Sunday was no different. In fact, one of the games biggest stars suffered a foot injury that may force him to miss significant time. Today, we’re going to break down Peyton Manning’s torn plantar fascia, and discuss if and when he’ll return to the field.
Peyton’s Plantar Fascia
The Denver Broncos are expected to be without quarterback Peyton Manning for at least one game after it was announced that the superstar was dealing with a partially torn plantar fascia in his right foot.
Sunday was supposed to be a celebration for Manning, who became the league’s all-time passing yards leader early in the first quarter. But even the best laid plans go awry, and Manning struggled throughout the game, throwing four interceptions before he was benched in the third quarter. After the game it was revealed that Manning has been dealing with a partially torn plantar fascia in his right foot. The foot injury likely played a big role in Manning’s inability to generate much power on a lot of his throws.
Manning has been dealing with plantar fasciitis for weeks, but one source believes he aggravated the injury on November 8th against the Colts, leading to a partial tear in the fascia. Interestingly, a partially torn plantar fascia is almost always more painful than a complete tear.
Medical experts haven’t really suggested a timetable for Manning’s return, but Pau Gasol suffered a similar tear back in 2013, and he missed six weeks with the injury. Oftentimes a cortisone injection can help with pain, and sometimes an injection can allow a player to naturally complete the full tear, which as we noted is generally less painful than a partial tear. Manning could also undergo surgery to address the partial tear.
If we had to guess, Manning will likely miss a few games with the injury. The Broncos will want him as healthy as possible for the playoffs, so they could even keep him out a month or so. That said, Peyton is no young buck, so if the injury lingers, there’s a chance he won’t return this season. Rumors have swirled about his retirement, so there’s a slim chance he won’t step on a football field again. I don’t think we’ve seen the last of him, but it’s an outside possibility.