ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – Peyton Manning is about to face his first pass rush in 579 days.

The four-time MVP makes his Denver Broncos debut in the preseason opener against the Bears today at Soldier Field. If he has an extra pep in his step or anticipates a larger than usual adrenaline rush against the Bears, he’s not showing it.

He insists it’s simply the next steppingstone in his comeback in Denver after missing all of last season with a nerve injury in his neck that weakened his throwing arm and led to his tearful farewell from the Indianapolis Colts.