AC

Peyton Manning reassured Denver Broncos officials, including general manager John Elway, that he is physically and mentally prepared to play at a significant level in 2015, league and team sources told ESPN. The two sides met Thursday in Denver, and while retirement technically remains an option for Manning, it is not one he expressed to Elway and CEO Joe Ellis, sources said. Both sides hope to have clarity on Manning's future by the middle to the end of next week, though there is no absolute deadline for a resolution, sources said. Manning took it upon himself to get a comprehensive evaluation from a renowned performance manager and trainer, Mackie Shilstone, during the past 2½ weeks in New Orleans. Shilstone, who was worked with several elite athletes in the latter stages of their careers, has given the quarterback a strong assessment based on numerous workouts and tests, a source said. The quad injury that plagued Manning at the end of the 2014 season is fully...