After 557 days away from live action, Peyton Manning made his return Thursday night at Chicago's Soldier Field.
The Denver Broncos quarterback played only one series, marching his team 50 yards over 11 plays before his final pass was tipped and intercepted near the Chicago Bears' goal line.
Manning finished 4-of-7 passing for 44 yards before giving way to Caleb Hanie. Manning didn't attempt any deep passes, but his arm appeared sound.
Rapoport: Short and sweet
Peyton Manning saw his
first game action in 557 days. Ian Rapoport says the Broncos' new QB cleared his first hurdle. **More ...**
"I sure have come a long way in a year," Manning said after the Broncos' 31-3 victory. "I know how much hard work I've put in and how much help I've gotten along the way. I know once we get to Pittsburgh (the regular-season opener), it'll be all about the game. I'm not going to be too reflective."
His best throw was on a sideline route by Eric Decker, in which Manning went through his progressions, spotted the receiver and made an accurate pass into tight coverage for a first down. Manning's second pass was his worst, a short throw over the middle that was deflected in the air by Bears linebacker Geno Hayes and turned into a completion for tight end Jacob Tamme.
The drive-ending interception came on another deflection. Manning's pass was slightly behind Brandon Stokley, who had the ball deflected off his hands by D.J. Moore and into the waiting arms of Major Wright.
"It's hard to know what's going to happen, it's hard to predict, but I felt like I had a little rhythm there on offense, things we can build on," Manning said. "Overall, I thought it was a decent start."
Manning wasn't in the game long enough for anyone to make any real judgments, but he appeared comfortable in the pocket and received plenty of protection from his new offensive line.
