For now, all Peyton Manning can do is watch

Peyton Manning returned to Lucas Oil Stadium Saturday afternoon, but he’s not quite ready to suit up. The 14-year pro hosted his 12th annual PeyBack Classic, bringing three high school football games to the Indianapolis stadium.

The Colts franchise quarterback is at risk of missing is first start ever. He had surgery 13 weeks ago to repair a nerve in his neck and was expected to make a full recovery. Due to the lockout however, rehab has put him behind, because he was unable to meet and consult with team trainers and doctors.

Right now, Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky are competing for the No. 2 job, with the Colts insisting Painter can handle it–I think otherwise.

There are numerous backups the Colts could consider like Kerry Collins, Marc Bulger or former Colt Jim Sorgi. I think the consensus is to bring back Sorgi, although I’ve been told he’s not healthy.

Sorgi was with the New York Giants last year when he suffered a season-ending injury to his right shoulder. He had surgery in early September to repair a torn capsule in his throwing arm. He also damaged and repaired his labrum (an injury he had with the Colts).

The quarterback out of Wisconsin is living in Indy and would love to return, but right now it’s not physically possible.

Neither Collins or Bulger have ever impressed. I respected the career of Brett Favre, but he completely turned me against him with his back and forth, retired or not stick. His name has been thrown out there by fans – and I’ll admit, it’s an intriguing move. Though much like Manning, one hit and he could be done.

It’s understood that no other quarterback can lead the Colts to a Super Bowl win, but what they need is a guy who can hold down the fort should #18 have to miss a couple games.

Speaking with the media last night, Peyton’s facial expressions didn’t appear positive. (Note: I’m glad he talked with the media. If he wants and expects us to cover his foundation game, he must be willing to talk about his status). I could sense his frustration and the unknown. He wants to return. He wants to get back on the practice field with his teammates–after all, he is a perfectionist who lives for the game.

I was working the broadcasts yesterday and he talked with WISH-TV’s Ashley Adamson.

“I feel a little bit better. I still have some work to do. I’m going to need every bit of these next two weeks of the preseason. I won’t play in the preseason, next week or the week after…I think I was shortchanged on some rehab time due to the lockout. I do feel like I am working against the clock and I started a bit backed up.”

“I am going need these next two weeks, every single second. I just came from rehab. I am rehabbing, I don’t know, just about the entire day. It is taking up a lot of my time and I’m going to need these last two weeks. I think in two weeks I will have more of an answer and an update as to where I am and where things stand.”

Those words do not sound encouraging, they are more of an unknown. We know he wants to be out there and we know he is going to do everything possible. There’s no question he wants to be ready for the regular season, and he cares passionately about his consecutive starts record.

As for a viable backup, we will just have to wait and see. I’m positive Bill and Chris Polian have done their research and they are looking into the situation further. I suppose it’s just a matter of time.

Right now, there’s no way I see anyone else under center than 18 when the season kicks off in Houston on September 11th.

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