Rumors have been circulating for some time now that Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning has fallen out of shape since neck surgery was performed on him in 2011. Now some of Manning’s observers have come out to refute claims that Manning is throwing with a “noodle arm”

One of his supporters is none other than Indianapolis Colts GM Bill Polian who watched Manning throw back in late December. According to Bill:

“It’s marked (improvement) from where he was back in September,” Polian said. “He threw it accurately, he threw it with a good, tight spiral, and he threw it with velocity.

“Generally, he looked like a pretty confident quarterback out there.”

Another Colts player also backed Mannings improvement. Kicker Adam Vinatieri told NFL.com of the QB’s improvement:.

“I haven’t watched him the last few weeks, but I did see him at the end of the season,” Vinatieri said during the interview. “He was developing nicely. Was he quite all the way back yet? No, probably not. Not to his standards.

“But he definitely is not that far off.”

At this time the Colts are running out of signing time with Manning set to receive a massive $28 million singing bonus should he still be on the roster come March 8, if anything these reports should continue to fuel speculation that another struggling NFL team at the QB position will pick Manning up before he hits the free agent market.

Do you think Peyton Manning despite several neck surgeries can still be a positive influence on whatever team he ends up playing for?

Manning Observers Deny Claims That He’s Out Of Shape, Not Ready For Primetime is a post from: The Inquisitr

While he hasn’t announced his medical clearance and the Indianapolis Colts have remained mum about the situation several NFL source have told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen that Peyton Manning has been medically cleared to play.

Manning has apparently been cleared by not one but two doctors including Dr. Robert Watkins who performed the quarterbacks most recent neck surgery.

According to one source Watkins said Manning would be play ready this Sunday if the nerves in his arm had regenerated to a satisfactory performance level.

The doctor is also urging Peyton Manning to continue on his path towards an aggressive rehabilitation which will provide an optimistic play schedule for Manning in 2012.

Manning’s spinal fusion took place on Sept. 8 with a declared “firm fixation” announced on Dec. 1.

In a glowing remark one source says Colts neurosurgeon Dr. Hank Feuer recently told Manning

 ”If you were my own son, I’d tell [you] to go play.”

As I previously reported Peyton Manning shot down rumors of a retirement, stating that his rehabilitation was right on track.

If Manning remains with the Indianapolis Colts he’ll be $28 million richer after which time the Colts will be forced to pay him that large bonus.

At this time it’s believed that Peyton Manning’s injuries are not about a safety issue but rather a playing issue as the quarterback continues to rebuild the nerves in his throwing arm which have been damaged since his surgery.

Do you think Peyton Manning will play another down in the NFL or is his career officially over?

Peyton Manning Medically Cleared To Play [NFL Sources] is a post from: The Inquisitr

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.

Peyton Manning Says Recovery Is On-Track is a post from: The Inquisitr

Yahoo! Sports reported Monday that the status of Peyton Manning’s rehab is not going as planned.  The implication is that if the rehab doesn’t pick up he may not regain the arm strength in order to play at a professional level.

Manning was forced out of the entire 2001 campaign recovering from spinal fusion surgery.  In December he resumed throwing and trying to get back on the field.  Sources close to Manning have told Yahoo that his rehab is not progressing and the nerves in his arm do not look like they are healing properly.

In addition to the bad news about his throwing velocity, there have been more than one doctor affiliated with the NFL that are extremely familiar with the type of surgery that Manning had and said that he is at a very heightened possibility of injury if he takes the wrong type of hit.  While this is true of most players, Manning could wind up paralyzed.

One of the NFL affiliated doctors told Yahoo,

“Right now, Peyton is at about six months. He should have a much better idea by July or August just how far he’s going to get … even then, that’s only a part of it. You can tell about 80 percent of how the nerves and the muscles are healing by rehab. What you really have to see is how his arm holds up when he starts to throw. Does he have the same velocity on the 15-yard out? Can he throw the 60-yard pass? Can he throw for 30 minutes before his arm gets tired? Can he throw for an hour? It’s a very complicated process.”

Colts owner Jim Irsay declined to discuss Manning’s condition prior to a press conference he had scheduled for Monday but he did say, “there are no cases of quarterbacks going through this.”

Irsay is trying to decide what the best play is with Manning.  If he keeps the quarterback and Manning returns to form he may have another  Super Bowl ring but it is a huge gamble to take because Manning is owed a $28 million roster bonus in March. Confounding the problem is that Indianapolis has the first pick in the NFL draft which they are most likely going to use to draft Andrew Luck, Manning’s successor.

Both Isray and Manning have had a rocky relationship as of late but both are not going to comment on their situation during the week of the Super Bowl which is being held in Indianapolis.

If you are Kim Isray do you cut Peyton Manning or not?
Peyton Manning or Andrew Luck?

Has Peyton Manning Played His Last Game In The NFL? [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

Prior to yesterday’s NFL Pro Bowl game, King reported that Manning – who is coming off neck surgery that cost him the entire 2011 season – is still struggling to get healthy and may be forced to hang up his jersey for good.

Although the Colts have a little more than a month – Manning is due a $28 million roster bonus on March 8 – to figure out their next step, King stated that his gut feeling was that Peyton will likely be sidelined for 2012 and possibly indefinitely.

Manning’s former head coach, Tony Dungy, now working for NBC Sports, had this to say:

“I don’t know where he is medically, but I do not think he is going to play for another team. I think if he’s healthy enough, he plays for the Colts. If he’s not healthy enough, he’ll retire.”

All the signs right now seem to be pointing to Manning’s departure, but then again, according to what King reported, Colts owner Jim Irsay has not yet made the decision yet.

That decision will come at some point and it will be before March 8. Until it happens, we can only expect there to be rumors and discussion at a constant rate throughout the process.

What are your thoughts on Peyton Manning and his future in the NFL? Have we seen the last of Number 18, or just the last of him in a Colts uniform?

Peyton Manning Injury Update: Health Issues to Sideline QB in 2012? is a post from: The Inquisitr

The reports are in and supposedly the Indianapolis Colts have made the decision to let Peyton Manning leave the franchise.  It seems as if the decision was made weeks ago.  Colts owner, Jim Irsay, is not in an enviable position.  He is going to be the owner who got rid of Peyton Manning, but do it they will.

The Colts have let go of their general manager, their coaches have been shown the door and they have the number 1 draft pick (they are pretty much certain to sign quaterback Andrew Luck).  They are obviously a team who will be rebuilding for at least the 2012 season and maybe for longer.

Manning is owed $28 million dollars as a Roster Bonus if his contract is extended and he may not even be a fit anymore for the team.  If they let him go there are few teams that will be in the mix to sign him.

The San Francisco 49ers: Some analysts say that San Francisco is one quarteback away from a Super Bowl. With one of the top ranked defenses in the league and not a bad offense, they could be in the hunt.  The only issue is that they don’t have a full lineup of receivers to exploit Peyton Manning’s strengths.

The New York Jets: The New York Jets have a fantastic defense and their offense is nothing to sneeze at either.  New York is big enough for two Mannings.  The only issue they might face is that Mark Sanchez is still owed quite a bit on his contract.  Also the Jets are in desperate need of a leader and Peyton Manning could be that guy.

The Washington Redskins: Mike Shannahan might be ballsy enough to do it.  The Redskins need a quarterback and might be able to be competitive with a Peyton Manning.

Who do you think will get Peyton Manning next year?

Watch the experts debate Peyton Manning’s future.

Where Will Peyton Manning Go? [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay introduced new head coach Chuck Pagano on Thursday during a conference but the real focus was on Irsay’s disgust over comments recently made by quarterback Peyton Manning.

You might recall that two days ago Manning recalled a harsh atmosphere in Indianapolis after the teams 2-14 season led to the firing of 11 coaches and various other staff members. In his press conference on Thursday Irsay called Peyton Manning a “politician” while noting:

“I don’t think it’s in the best interest to paint the horseshoe [the teams logo] in a negative light, I really don’t. The horseshoe always comes first, and I think one thing he’s always known, because he’s been around it so long, is that, you know, you keep it in the family. If you’ve got a problem you talk to each other, it’s not about campaigning or anything like that.”

The comment comes at a time when Manning will be owed a $28 million bonus check should the team keep him through his march contracts agreed upon March deadline. With the Colts preparing to pick up Andrew Luck as the NFL’s No. 1 draft choice the ability to give up Manning and use that $28 million to rebuild the team is looking more attractive.

Manning was injured this past season and underwent Sept. 8 neck surgery, his third such procedure in just 19 months.

Already removed from the team are vice chairman Bill Polian, general manager Chris Polian and head coach Jim Caldwell along with most of the Caldwell created Indianapolis Colts staff.

Manning appears of late to be most upset with his lack of communication at the GM level in which he says he has talked to the teams new GM Ryan Grigson only in “passing” while feeling as if he needs to be “walking around on eggshells.”

Regardless of Peyton Manning’s feeling Irsay says of the situation:

“I have so much affection and appreciation for Peyton. I mean we’re family. We always will be and we are. He’s a politician. I mean look at, when it comes to being competitive, let’s just say on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest, we’re both 11s, OK? So there’s been plenty of eggshells scattered around this building by him with his competitive desire to win.”

Do you believe that the Indianapolis Colts are preparing to shed a $28 million weight from their books and replace it with a younger and more nimble Andrew Luck?

Jim Irsay Calls Out Peyton Manning Over Negative Indianapolis Colts Atmosphere Comments is a post from: The Inquisitr

Defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano has been promoted to head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.

The Colts will officially introduce Pagano as the teams new head coach on Thursday when the 51-year-old who has served as a career assistant at Oakland and Cleveland will take over his first head coaching position in the NFL.

In a statement released by the Ravens on Wednesday Pagnao revealed:

“It’s difficult to leave the Ravens but I couldn’t pass up on this great opportunity,” adding, “I’m just thrilled and so excited.”

The defensive coordinator interviewed with the Colts on Tuesday, just two days after the Ravens lost to the New England Patriots 23-20 in the AFC Championship Game.

During his first season as the Ravens defensive coordinator the team allowed the third-fewest points and yards of the 2011 season. Under his leadership the Ravens also send Safety Ed Reed, linebackers Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs and nose tackle Haloti Ngata to the Pro Bowl.

The move to grab Chuck Pagano comes after the Colts fired Jim Caldwell following the teams 2-14 season in which the Colts were forced to perform without star QB Peyton Manning who suffered a season ending neck injury.

Joining Check Pagano is 39-year-old Ryan Grigson who has taken over at the general manager position. Colts owner Jim Irsay has removed 11 of the teams 20 coaches who started the 2011 season.

In the meantime it’s still not known whether Pagano will be rebuilding a team around Stanford star QB Andrew Luck or working with Peyton Manning. Manning recently said a meeting with Jim Irsay “is going to happen at some point, but we haven’t had that conversation yet because we really don’t need to have that conversation yet.”

Manning is due a $28 million bonus should the team retain him through March 2012, he has repeatedly said he wants to stay with the Indianapolis Colts.

Do you think Chuck Pagano is the right man to lead the Colts and perhaps even rebuild the team around Andrew Luck?

Chuck Pagano Moving To Indianapolis Colts, Taking Over Head Coach Position is a post from: The Inquisitr

In an interview with the Indianapolis Star published today, Manning, who missed the entire 2011 NFL season with a neck injury, revealed that while he is planning on playing next season, he is uncertain that it will be with the team that drafted him back in 1998 with the No. 1 overall pick.

“I mean, it’s 20 degrees, it’s snowing, the building is absolutely empty except when you see coaches cleaning out their offices,” Manning told the paper, referencing recent changes to the Colts organization including the firing of general manager Bill Polian, coach Jim Caldwell and other team personnel, such as strength and conditioning coach Jon Torine.

“I guess it’s the reality of the football world, just not something I’ve had to deal with very often. But I’m in there every day, so I have to sit there and see it. Everybody’s being evaluated and I’m no different. It’s not the best environment,” Manning told the paper.

Although the decision doesn’t rest completely in his hands, Peyton revealed he would like to stay in Indianapolis, where he has played for his entire 14-year career.

“It’s been a privilege to play here,” Maning said. “I love the fans, the city, the transformation of the fans, how our place has become the toughest stadium to play in, the fact our fans wear more jerseys to games than anybody else. It’s been fun to be a part of that.”

On the chance that the Colts don’t pick up Manning’s $28 million option due on March 8, there are rumors circulating that teams such as the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets will snatch up the stud QB.

Until then, Peyton says he will remain loyal to the team that has helped him rack up a set of impressive numbers including a Super Bowl title, 11 Pro Bowl selections and 11 seasons of throwing for more than 4,000 yards.

“All I know is I’m still under contract to the Colts,” Manning said. “I’m still the quarterback of the Colts That’s why I’m in the building every day trying to get healthy.”

In the clip below, Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star talks with ESPN on the future of Peyton Manning:

via AFP

Peyton Manning Says He’s Not Retiring, Talks Future in Football is a post from: The Inquisitr

Rob Lowe sparked a wildfire on Twitter yesterday when he tweeted that Peyton Manning, quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts, would announce that he was retiring later on in the day.

It came as a shock to fans of the Colts and Manning, but as it turned out Lowe’s report was bogus. Shortly after the “news” broke, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen sent out this tweet refuting Lowe’s report: “Archie Manning laughed when he heard @RobLowe said Peyton will retire, “Noooo…he ain’t retiring. I think he would’ve told me.”

Lowe did, at least, try to verify what he was hearing. After his initial tweet, he sent one over to NFL Network broadcaster Rich Eisen, inquiring on the validity of the news. “My people are saying Manning will retire today,” he wrote. “What do you hear?”

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, who happens to be a friend of Rob Lowe–Lowe was the first person Irsay followed on Twitter–had a little fun at Lowe’s expense after, tweeting: “My sources tell me Rob will star in an epic remake of “Deep Throat” with aging porn stars and 4 finger circus clowns!”

Rob Lowe (incorrectly) tweets that Peyton Manning is retiring is a post from: The Inquisitr

“We have to bring in another player that will make him work at practice,’’ one unidentified Jets player was quoted as saying. “He’s lazy and content because he knows he’s not going to be benched.”

Another unidentified teammate told the Daily News the club could not win a Super Bowl with Sanchez as its starter, adding it was a “no-brainer” and that the team was “stupid” if they didn’t try to replace Sanchez with Colts’ QB Peyton Manning.

“If you have a chance to get a healthy 36-year-old Peyton Manning and you don’t do it, then you’re stupid,” the anonymous player explained when asked if the Jets organization should make a move to acquire Manning once he is healthy. “If I could get a healthy 36-year-old Peyton Manning, then, hell yeah, I would trade Sanchez.”

Since entering the league in 2009, Sanchez has thrown for the second-most interceptions (51) and committed the second-most turnovers (63) in the NFL.

Noting Mark’s horrible numbers and the fact that the Jets finished the season ranked 25th in total offense, one of the most scathing comments was that Sanchez has been coddled and can’t handle criticism.

“They don’t want to be truthful with him,” one prominent player told the paper. “They treat him like a baby instead of a man. He goes in a hole when someone tells him the truth.”

Mark Sanchez has two years remaining on his rookie contract, but the players the paper talked to painted a picture that makes it hard to imagine the team moving forward with him at the helm.

“How can we when he’s not improving at all?” a player reportedly told the Daily. “He thinks he is, but he’s not. He has shown us what he’s capable of.”

Check out the following clip in which Jets’ linebacker Damien Woody responds to the criticisms of Mark Sanchez:

via Sporting News

Mark Sanchez Reportedly “Ripped” by Teammates Over Work Ethic is a post from: The Inquisitr

On March 7th the Indianapolis Colts must decide whether to keep quarterback Peyton Manning and pay him a $28 million option the following day or remove Manning from the teams roster, allowing No. 1 draft pick Andrew Luck to lead the team while using that $28 million to make room in their salary cap to build a team around Luck.

According to rumors Colts owner Jim Irsay absolutely does not want to get rid of Peyton Manning, however he has also reportedly said the team will continue to evaluate Manning’s playing condition up until that option deadline arrives.

Questions about Manning’s continued play on the team began circulating the moment the Indianapolis Colts ended their season with a record of 2-14, a bad enough placement to receive the No. 1 2012 NFL draft pick and with it Stanford’s star quarterback Andrew Luck.

As BleacherReports Nicholas Goss points out:

This is a really smart move by Irsay because Manning is the face of his franchise, and will be for a very long time.

You cannot trade the quarterback that has won you a Super Bowl, made you a ton of money and helped you build a new stadium, even if it’s uncertain what his health will be like in a few months.

Trading Manning would be disrespectful to him. He’s done way too much for the Colts franchise, making it foolish for Irsay to make that kind of move.

In the meantime while some analysts believe a Manning/Luck team will never work it could be Manning’s understanding of the game that helps Luck develop into a franchise player for the team when Manning steps down. A quick examination of the Green Bay Packers and star QB Aaron Rodgers shows exactly what an up and coming QB can do when under the tutelage of an NFL great and Manning is unarguably one of the greatest of all time. Not only is Manning an impressive athlete but his understanding of the game is legendary and because of that his teachings for a younger up and comer would be invaluable. A quarterback coach can teach a QB how to play the field, plant his feet, read defenses and more but Peyton could provide real world experience to propel Andrew Luck to an entirely new level.

Do you think releasing Peyton Manning and putting Andrew Luck in his place would be a monumental mistake or the right move for the  teams future?

Indianapolis Colts Won’t Trade Peyton Manning, $28 Million Option Also Can’t Be Pushed Back is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Indianapolis Colts on Sunday fell to the Jacksonville Jaguars 19-13, a loss that secures Indy the first round draft pick in April’s NFL draft, a pick that will more than likely be used to secure Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck.

The loss comes after Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew ran for a season-high 169 yards, allowing him to break Fred Taylor’s single-season franchise record.

Many analysts came into this game believing the Indianapolis Colts (2-14) would throw away their chances at a victory in order to secure a star quarterback. However right before game time news surfaced that Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III would likely go pro, providing a decent No. 2 pick should Indianapolis have defeated the Jaguars.

The Jacksonville Jaguars for their part ended the season with a dismal 5-11 record, however they are the first AFC South team to sweep the Colts since 2002. The win also secured outgoing Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver a final victory.

With Andrew Luck receiving help form Peyton Manning the Colts could very well be looking at one of the strongest QB corps in the league for more than the next decade of football.

The Andrew Luck draft is also a smart choice since the Indianapolis Colts are still not certain about Manning’s future after undergoing neck surgery that kept him out of the 2011 season. Should Manning return at full strength the team will have to pay him a $28 million bonus, work out a new deal or allow him to become a free agent. Colts management has already promised that Manning is their man if his neck has properly healed.

Furthering the teams need for a decent second string quarterback was yet another dismal outing by Peyton Manning backup Dan Orlovsky who was 27 for 40 passes with 264 yards while throwing two interceptions with a touchdown pass to Austin Collie. Orlovsky was also sacked three times.

Do you think the Indianapolis Colts lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars on purpose so they could secure the teams future with the help of Stanford’s Andrew Luck?

[Image via Alexey Stiop / Shutterstock.com]

Indianapolis Colts Lose To Jacksonville Jaguars, Secure Top 2012 NFL Draft Pick is a post from: The Inquisitr

At least manning spent this week able to throw a football, the problem is he has not been able to practice with the team or play in a game all season, and without being able to evaluate his on field performance the Colts will not be able to decide if he is able to play next year.

The Colts General Manager wants to have the best of both worlds, keep Manning and Draft Luck.  Unfortunately this doesn’t make much sense for the team.

The Colts are up against the NFL’s hard salary cap, an issue even with less star power than Manning on the roster.  Manning makes up for glaring deficiencies elsewhere on the field, but with him starting and Luck on the bench, those deficiencies will be even more magnified as they will have to cut much more talent to keep both in uniform.

In there lies the rub, if you draft Luck (and the ridiculously high salary he will command) just to sit on the bench, where are you going to get the money to give Manning a team he will be able to bring back to the Super Bowl?

This is a familiar situation for the Mannings (and Luck is a close family friend).  Archie Manning, Peyton’s father, advised Peyton’s brother Eli against putting himself in exactly the same situation with the San Diego Chargers.   When Eli was drafted by the San Diego Chargers, they already sported an established quarterback in Drew Brees. So Eli refused to sign and demanded a trade to the New York Giants where he has won a Super Bowl.

Should the Indianapolis Colts stick with Peyton Manning or go with Andrew Luck?

Luck or Manning? Colts Can’t Have Both is a post from: The Inquisitr

At the moment, Peyton Manning is excited to enter the next phase of his rehabilitation, throwing, and says that it’s possible that he makes his return before the end of the 2011 season. As for Manning’s life with the Colts in 2012, the four-time MVP says that he’ll cross that bridge when he gets there.

Manning said:

“Throwing will be a part of this next progression. That is somewhat critical to my job. I will be throwing and have been doing some throwing. We have to ramp that up a little bit and answer some more questions about where we are.”

Manning has had to watch the Indianapolis Colts from the sidelines this season as he recovers from shoulder surgery. The Colts aren’t doing too well without him, but at 11-0, the Colts could earn the number one draft pick in 2012. If they do get the number one pick, many NFL analyst predict them to draft Stanford Quarterback Andrew Luck. But will the Colts have the money to keep Manning and draft Luck?

Manning told SB Nation that he’s aware of the speculation concerning the 2012 draft, but that he hasn’t been told about any plans for 2012. Manning said:

“I have not had a conversation about the 2012 draft. (Indianapolis vice chairman Bill Polian) keeps a lot of the players informed on different things, but I’ve never known who we were going to draft in years past.”

Polian told ESPN last week that money wouldn’t be an issue with drafting Luck. Polian said:

“The payment to the first-round draft choice is far less than it was under the old (collective bargaining) agreement, so you could afford that. I’m perfectly fine with that approach.”

Do you think the Colts will keep Manning in 2012? Will they draft Andrew Luck?

Peyton Manning Starts Throwing, Not Talking About 2012 Draft is a post from: The Inquisitr

With his Indianapolis Colts suffering star QB Peyton Manning said on Thursday that he’s still hoping to make a return during the 2011 NFL season.

During comments inside the Colts locker room about his injured neck Manning revealed:

“I think you have to have hope until the doctors rule you out,” while adding, “We’re having a lot of injuries so if they come to me and say they have to make a move, I won’t fight them on that.”

Manning also revealed that he’s feeling good following his September 8 procedure, the third surgery he has had on his neck in just 19 months.

Hoping for a quick 2-3 month recovery time the Colts have kept manning on their active roster with the realization that he could return in December.

Doctors are currently taking X-rays of the star QB’s neck every four weeks to monitor healing.

With Manning out of commission his Indianapolis Colts are 0-3.

In the meantime while Manning can’t practice with his teammates he has been seen walking laps around the practice field and he has been attending team meetings while serving as adviser for Kerry Collins and Curtis Painter who are both replacing Manning at the QB position until his return.

Are you excited to see Manning make his triumphant return to the Colts?

Peyton Manning Still Hoping For 2011 Return is a post from: The Inquisitr

At the start of the 2011 NFL season the Indianapolis Colts suffered a serious blow. Their star QB Peyton Manning would miss the entirety of the NFL season to recover from a neck injury. But Colts owner Jim Irsay said last night that the Colts are keeping Manning on the active roster, and there is a chance he’ll play this December.

Irsay tweeted:

“I didn’t say Peyton out 4 season FOR SURE, keeping him on ActiveRoster n taking it month by month/Outside chance of return n December possible.”

According to the Associated Press, Manning was seen at Indy practices last week and spent time in the coaches booth on Sunday.

Colts vice chairman Bill Polian said:

“The protocol hasn’t changed one iota. He’s still on the active roster and we have said time and time again that we will leave him on the active roster until the doctors tell us it’s impossible for him to come back this year.

“He’s exercising. He’s doing a lot more than he did a week ago. The bottom line is nothing has changed and he will have some examinations and tests down the line, quite a little while from now. It’s not imminent.”

Manning’s most recent surgery is his third neck surgery in 19 months. The Colts have been playing Kerry Collins while Manning recovers, but Collins was injured during the Pittsburgh Steelers game. Curtis Painter played the fourth quarter against the Steelers.

The Indianapolis Colts are 0-3 so far this season without Manning.

Peyton Manning started 227 consecutive games before his injury put him on the sidelines. But even with their biggest player off the field, the Colts are still happy to have Manning on their side.

Coach Jim Caldwell said:

“He’s a resource for us, and he’s a guy that’s been around this system for a long time. It’s what I identify as, ‘intellectual property,’ and I don’t think that you’re very smart if you don’t use it/ We use everything we possibly can to try to get ourselves in position to get a victory.”

How would you handle the Peyton Manning situation?

Peyton Manning Still on Active Roster, Could Play in December is a post from: The Inquisitr

After his third neck surgery in 19 months it’s still uncertain if Indianpolis Colts star quarterback Peyton Manning will see any playtime this season but that hasn’t stopped team officials from paying Manning $3 million, with $26 million guaranteed on the year.

Manning collected his $3 million roster bonus at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday since the Colts have not yet placed him on season-ending injured reserve.

Manning was required to have a cervical fusion on Thursday, a move that left his season in question. If Manning doesn’t recover as expected the team has the right to terminate his contract at the end of this season, a clause Manning specifically had his agent Tom Condon add into his contract in order to protect his team from costly injuries he might sustain.

In a vote of confidence for their QB, Colts vice chairman Bill Polian revealed to CBS on Sunday that if he does return Manning will still be a Colt.

“Can’t predict anything, particularly true with injuries,” Polian also revealed to CBS, adding, “in terms of Peyton Manning playing football, he’s going to play for the Colts, that’s for sure.”

When asked if Manning would return to play this season he added:

“Honestly don’t know. We will leave the roster open,” and “The doctors, and I underline that, will make that determination. … We were going through the process here, we recognized early on his physical condition, but it’s not career-threatening according to everyone we spoke to — at his age, things like this might happen and that was taken into consideration.”

Now Colts fans can just wait in nervous anticipation for an announcement in the weeks to come.

Indianapolis Colts Pay Peyton Manning $3 Million Roster Bonus is a post from: The Inquisitr

Reports are coming in that Peyton Manning, quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts, underwent neck surgery today for the third time in 19 months and, due to the nature of the surgery, it looks like he’ll be out for upwards of three months, if not longer.

It isn’t known for sure just how long Manning will be out, but he will, as previously reported, be missing the Colts’ first game in Houston this Sunday. It may not be of much consolation to Colts fans, but a statement from the Colts suggests that the surgery went smoothly, but the statement also echoed uncertainty as to when Manning will return.

This procedure is performed regularly throughout the country on persons from all walks of life, including professional football players. Two former Colts players had this same procedure last winter and have fully resumed their careers. Rehabilitation from such surgery is typically an involved process. Therefore, there will be no estimation of a return date at this time. We will keep Peyton on the active roster until we have a clearer picture of his recovery process.

Things haven’t been going so well for Manning over the past several months. He was locked out of working out with Colts trainers while he recovered from a surgery to repair a nerve back in May. He was also unable to train with the team until August 39, which reportedly left Manning with a sore back after only one week of training.

Kerry Collins is expected to take Manning’s place during the Colts’ debut game this Sunday.

via Yahoo

Peyton Manning out indefinitely after another neck surgery is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Indianapolis Colts are preparing to launch the NFL season with a game against the Houston Texans on Sunday and now the unthinkable might happen, after 227 consecutive starts which includes playoff appearances, star QB Peyton Manning may be forced to sit out the season opener.

The news comes as Manning continues to experience neck pain caused by a preseason neck injury, while the loss of Manning would give Kerry Collins control of the Colts, a likely situation since Manning’s neck soreness actually increased over the weekend.

According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the team won’t attempt another surgery on his neck.

Pro Bowl Center Jeff Saturday chimed in on the situation on Monday:

“I hate it for Peyton,” while adding, ”You want him to be healthy, you want him to be back, but you want him to take care of it, too. It’s sad when players face tough times, but I know he’s strong enough to get through it.”

Putting Manning’s only absence in perspective, the only game he has missed any play in came during Miami in 2001 when backup Mark Rypien fumbled the ball on his only possession, Peyton returned on the next play, despite a bloody mouth at which time he drove the ball 59 yards for the winning touchdown.

For their part Manning’s teammates are attempting to keep a positive outlook including safety Antoine Bethea who said:

 ”If anything, we want to go out there and step it up,” while adding,  ”Of course it will be different (without Manning), but it’s one of those things that if it happens, everybody else has to step up. It’s next man up.”

Manning underwent surgery on May 23 to repair a nerve that was injured during play, an injury that was expected to heal within six to eight weeks, however Manning was placed on the physically unable to perform list as pre-season play began and was only activated last Monday.

Limited workouts at camp last week led to complaints about increased pain in his neck.

At this time it’s still unclear how severe Manning’s injury remains.

Peyton Manning Told Not To Practice, More Bad News Could Follow is a post from: The Inquisitr