It's official. Peyton Manning is back.
The Broncos announced Thursday that the veteran quarterback will start under center when Denver kicks off their Divisional Round playoff tilt on Jan. 17.
Coach Gary Kubiak told the team early Thursday after meeting privately with backup Brock Osweiler, who started seven games after Manning was essentially benched amid suffering a torn plantar fascia in his left foot in Week 10.
Manning returned in Week 17 against the Chargers, taking over for Osweiler to help the Broncos score 20 points over the final quarter and a half to trigger a 27-20 Denver win that helped the Broncos clinch the AFC West and the top seed in the AFC.