ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Peyton Manning doesnt like to skip any snaps, so you can imagine how unhappy he was Wednesday when a tender ankle forced him to miss practice for the first time since joining the Denver Broncos last year. "It was Greeks call," Manning said of head athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos. "I can assure I didnt go down without a fight. But hopefully Ill use the day to get a little better, feel a little better." Manning said he plans to return to practice Thursday when the banged-up Broncos (6-1) continue preparations for Mike Shanahans return to Denver with the Washington Redskins (2-4). Manning was knocked around by his former team in his homecoming on Sunday night. His mix-and-match offensive line allowed him to get hit 10 times, including four sacks, two by Robert Mathis, in a 39-33 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Coach John Fox declined to identify which ankle was bothering his star quarterback, and Manning deflected questions about it, too. Showing his sense of humour was still intact even if hes not up on current events, Manning cracked: "I know government is shut down right now but I still very firmly believe in HIPPA," the federal medical privacy law. "So, I will refer all questions to the injury report." That report, of course, didnt specify which ankle was hurt, nor the severity of the injury, although Fox did allow this bit of detail: "Its nothing serious, just sore." Manning was one of seven starters who sat out Wednesdays workout, joining right tackle Orlando Franklin (ankle), right guard Chris Kuper (ankle) and wide receivers Eric Decker (toe) and Wes Welker (ankle) on offence along with cornerback Champ Bailey (foot) and defensive end Shaun Phillips (hamstring). Manning was never knocked from the game Sunday night, although his passes were wobbly after a big sack/strip by Mathis that resulted in a safety that gave the Colts early momentum. "Its a physical game out there and I dont know who, in their 16th year, ever feels 100 per cent at any point," Manning said. "Ive been hit a lot. Ive taken big hits and its part of football is getting up and getting back in the game." After stretching with his teammates Wednesday, Manning donned his helmet but was strictly an observer as backup Brock Osweiler ran the offence at practice. Osweiler called it a productive practice even though he was surrounded by fellow subs. "Its nice to call your own plays and remember how our offence works rather than just running the scout team," he said. "I thought it was great. It was a lot of fun. We got a lot of great things accomplished today and Im definitely better for it." The rare heavy workload, he added, "definitely helped me out in case something was to happen in a game, Ill be ready to roll." When the scrum of reporters around his locker broke up, Osweiler said, "Talk to you guys in probably a couple of months." Aside from 2011, when Manning missed the whole season because of neck troubles that affected his right triceps, the leagues only four-time MVP has hardly missed a day of work since a brief holdout at training camp his rookie year in 1998. There was a knee injury in 2001, a bursa sac issue at training camp in 08. Thats about it. "Hell practice tomorrow," Fox said. "This is a little rest time we thought was well needed." Notes: MLB Wesley Woodyard (neck, limited) said he expects to play Sunday after missing 2 1/2 games. ... Only 5 players remain from Shanahans tenure in Denver: Bailey, Kuper, Woodyard, K Matt Prater and injured LT Ryan Clady. CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs say they have agreed to a one-year contract with reliever Jose Veras that includes a club option for 2015. The deal was announced on Friday. Veras is due $3.85 million next season, and the Cubs have a $5.5 million option for 2014 with a $150,000 buyout. He can make an additional $$750,000 annually in performance bonuses based on games finished.dddddddddddd Veras was 0-5 with a 3.02 ERA in 67 games last season for the Houston Astros and Detroit Tigers, who acquired him on July 29. Detroit declined a $4 million option on Veras in November and opted to pay a $150,000 buyout. cheap jerseys cheap jerseys cheap nfl jerseys Ray Ban Outlet Michael Kors Outlet Michael Kors Sale Cheap Michael Kors ' ' '