Peyton Manning Says Recovery Is On-Track

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning took some time on Tuesday to shoot down rumors that his career was over.

Speaking about his current condition following neck/spinal surgery Manning revealed:

“I really feel good. I continue to make progress every day,” while adding that he had a “great day” at rehab.

According to Manning his doctors are telling him that he’ll be ready to play when the new NFL season begins. Then again we would expect Peyton Manning to make such a statement since the Colts would own him a $28 million bonus should he stay with the team passed March 8.

Manning’s statement of good health arrived after Rob Lowe of all people tweeted a while back that an inside source at the NFL said Peyton Manning had played his last football game.

According to inside sources the nerves in Manning’s arm are not healing fast enough for a 2012 season return or at a rate of progression that suggests he’ll ever play in an NFL game again.

While the vertebrae in his neck healed as expected until December two sources revealed to Yahoo Sports:

“The vertebrae in his neck that were fused have healed as expected and Manning began throwing in December. But he hasn’t shown improvement in velocity on his passes, and the two sources fear he likely never will again.

In addition, two league-affiliated doctors with experience in spinal fusion surgery said it could take up to a year before Manning knows if he can return. Both said the risk is too great for Manning to play again and, because of the timeline, neither would recommend the Colts pay Manning the $28 million bonus he is owed in March”

Do you think Peyton Manning has played in his final NFL game?