Peyton Manning will return to action on Sunday but the veteran quarterback will not start for the Denver Broncos in their final regular-season game against the San Diego Chargers.

Broncos coach Gary Kubiak confirmed that Manning will be in uniform against the Chargers barring any setback in the coming days. However, he revealed that Brock Osweiler will remain as their starting quarterback after previously insisting that Manning will be their starter once he recovers from the foot injury.

"Brock's our quarterback, and nothing has changed from that standpoint," Kubiak told the club's official website. "The team knows that Brock is our quarterback."

According to CBS Sports, Manning will play as backup for the first time in his 18-year NFL career after starting in all 265 regular-season games. The 39-year-old quarterback, who has only played in nine games this season, said last week that he wants to start but he is also ready to serve as backup if it is for the best of the squad.

"I got to do whatever coach feels is best for the team," Manning said. "It's been an interesting year, I'm not going to lie about that. I've had a good attitude about it. I've learned a lot about myself. I've been a good teammate. I've tried to help Brock in any way I can. It's new to me. It's new to me. So I'll do whatever is best for the team."

With Manning in uniform, Osweiler could eventually feel the pressure, as they are in dire need of a crucial win on Sunday. A victory will put them in a better position in the American Football Conference standings and give them a bye in the playoffs as the second seed, while a loss could drop them down to sixth spot in the playoff seeding.

Osweiler said that he is up to the challenge, and admitted that he was elated when he learned that he will start for the team in their regular-season finale against the Chargers.

"Obviously it means a lot," Osweiler told ESPN. "It shows that Coach believes in me. It feels good, but I have a job to do this week, and that's where my focus is."

Osweiler has impressed the Broncos coaching staff since taking over after Manning went down with a torn plantar fascia near his left heel. The 25-year-old quarterback has completed 61.7 percent of his passes for 1,735 yards with nine touchdowns against just four interceptions in seven games as starter.