Broncos lose left tackle Ryan Clady for the season, reports say

Peyton Manning’s job just got tougher, and the Denver Broncos’ road to the Super Bowl just got even more challenging.

The Broncos on Wednesday placed all-pro left tackle Ryan Clady on season-ending injured reserve with a foot injury, according to NFL.com and the Denver Post.

The Post reported on its website that Clady will undergo foot surgery.

In Sunday’s win over the New York Giants, Clady suffered a Lisfranc sprain to his left foot, which typically requires several months of rehabilitation.

Clady, who protects Manning’s blind side, signed a five-year, $57.5-million contract this off-season, $33 million of which was guaranteed. He’s one of the offensive cornerstones for the Super Bowl-favorite Broncos.

Chris Clark will replace Clady in the starting lineup, and the team reportedly is poised to sign free-agent tackle Winston Justice.

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