By Tom Krasniqi

It was back to work on Wednesday for the 6-5 Bucs as they get ready for Sunday’s game in Denver against Peyton Manning and the 8-3 Broncos.

Here’s the Bucs injury report:  Head coach Greg Schiano says DT Roy Miller (illness) was sent home and did not practice.  C Ted Larsen (illness) was limited on Wednesday.  LB Dekota Watson (hamstring) and DE Michael Bennett (ankle) practiced fully.

Notable injuries for the Broncos: DE Robert Ayers (non-injury related) did not practice.  G Manny Ramirez (back) and WR Brandon Stokley (wrist/hip) were limited.  G Chris Kuper (ankle), CB Tracy Porter (illness), and WR Demaryius Thomas (knee) were full participants in practice.

News & Notes:

• The challenge for the Bucs offensive line this week is trying to keep QB Josh Freeman clean.  The Broncos pass rush has been lethal as they lead the NFL with 37 sacks.  In fact, LB Von Miller has 14 sacks.  The Bucs defense overall has just 18 sacks.  Ouch.
• In a conference call with the Tampa media, Broncos QB Peyton Manning was diplomatic in assessing the Bucs pass defense.  Manning says stats sometimes can be “misleading”.  Manning went on to say that when he looks at the Bucs on film, he sees a team that “plays fast, plays hard and forces turnovers”.
• One of the more underrated storylines this week is the Bucs ability to handle the thin air at Mile High.  While in college at Texas A&M, Bucs DE Michael Bennett played at Colorado twice and says there’s no real way to prepare for it.  Many Bucs players have not played there and they simply don’t know what to expect. 
• Bucs DT Gerald McCoy says he won’t be asking for Manning’s autograph after the game, ala Jamaal Charles.  Bennett says the only autograph he wants is Barack Obama’s signature.
• Bucs TE Dallas Clark spent many productive seasons with Manning in Indianapolis and is not surprised at Peyton’s rebirth: “I would never bet against him”.
• Catch the Bucs-Broncos game this Sunday on 620 WDAE, your home of the Bucs.  Our pre-game coverage begins at 9am.