Posted on Wed. Aug. 08, 2012 - 12:10 am EDT

Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos are treating their visit to Chicago on Thursday night just like any other preseason opener.


Only, it isn’t.


This marks the four-time MVP’s first game of any sort since Jan. 30, 2011, when he went 2-for-5 for 12 yards and an interception in the AFC’s 55-41 loss to the NFC in the Pro Bowl.


“I think he’s anxious to get in there, just like all of our starters,” coach John Fox said Tuesday.


Anybody who wants to see Manning’s first game in 18 months had better tune in early because he won’t have much more than a cameo appearance at Soldier Field.


“Well, we don’t get into how much we’re going to do but we’ll approach it much like any first preseason games,” Fox said. “Our first unit will go the first quarter – about – and the seconds will go the second and third quarters, and the third will finish out the fourth quarter.”

Female official not intimidated

The NFL’s first female official is excited, a bit nervous and not at all intimidated by the challenge of working a pro game.


Shannon Eastin makes her NFL debut Thursday night as the line judge when the Green Bay Packers play at San Diego in the preseason opener for both teams. A 42-year-old referee in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference – college football’s second-highest level – Eastin has 16 years of officiating experience.

Around the league

Cleveland rookie running back Trent Richardson had his left leg wrapped and did not participate in practice Tuesday. … Chicago signed defensive end Derek Walker to a one-year contract and waived offensive lineman Tyler Hendrickson, … Matt Flynn will start for Seattle against Tennessee. … Arizona removed running back Beanie Wells from the physically unable to perform list. Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt calls Kevin Kolb’s rib injury minor and expects the quarterback to play in the preseason game against Kansas City … A day after a 20-player brawl highlighted a chippy practice, Jets coach Rex Ryan had his players run a series of sprints as punishment for a few minor scuffles on the field. … Jacksonville receiver Justin Blackmon signed a four-year deal worth about $18.5 million … Dallas cornerback Mike Jenkins hasn’t been cleared to practice with his surgically repaired right shoulder. … Carolina wide receiver Steve Smith was held out of the second half of practice after bruising his left knee