Manning has cervical fusion surgery – out indefinitely

Manning had another surgery on Thursday and will miss his first start in 227 games Sunday.

With the NFL season beginning tonight, it’s a great day for fans across the country unless your an Indianapolis Colts fan. The NFL’s only four-time MVP, Peyton Manning, will not take the field Sunday in Houston and he may not hit the field once this season.

Thursday the Colts announced that Manning underwent surgery today by “having a single level anterior fusion.”  The surgery was described as un-eventful.

The team did not specify time for recovery, saying “rehabilitation from such surgery is typically an involved process.”

This is the third surgery for Manning in 18 months–his last was on May 23rd to repair a bulging disk in his neck.

ESPN’s Mark Schlereth provides a bit of optimism. “I’ve played with players that it saved their careers.” And the Colts noted that two of their players last year had the same procedure, one being Kelvin Hayden.

The Colts news release is below:

As previously stated on Monday, Sept. 5^th, Peyton Manning has undergone further testing and consultation with several specialists regarding his rehabilitation.  The results of these tests and the consensus of the consultations was that further surgery was warranted.  Peyton has undergone this surgery today by having a single level anterior fusion.  The surgery was un-eventful.

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.

Peyton will immediately begin the rehabilitation regimen mapped out by the surgeon.

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