Peyton Manning has struggled with his neck for more than two years. He first had an operation in March 2010 followed by another last May. 15 weeks since his last surgery, the Colts franchise quarterback admits he is not ready to play Sunday.
“To say I am disappointed in not being able to play is an understatement,” Manning said in a statement released by the team.
“The best part about football is being out there on the field with my teammates. It will be tough not to be out there playing for the organization and our fans. I simply am not healthy enough to play, and I am doing everything I can to get my health back. The team will do fine without me, and I know for sure that I will miss them much more than they will miss me.”
I have a hard time remembering the Indianapolis Colts without Peyton Manning. I remember Captain Comeback, Jim Harbaugh making some amazing throws sporting the No. 4 jersey. I remember Big Play Ray, who would return kicks and play cornerback on defense. Oh, and a year with Marvin Harrison. That’s it.
For my generation and those that followed, Manning is the Colts. He is a winner, he is a leader–he is the franchise.
Because of the big news that Peyton is out Sunday at Houston, I had to do a little research.
The four-time NFL MVP has only missed one snap in his career, which he was bleeding profusely. That lone snap was taken by the one and only Mark Rypien. He has started 208 consecutive regular season games and 227 games including playoffs.
How about the last time the Colts played a game when Manning wasn’t under center? That would be on December 21, 1997 at Minnesota. It was an awful year when the Colts finished 3-13, earning the No. 1 draft pick. Jim Harbaugh was the leader, but it was also a season where Kelly Holcomb had to fill in a quarterback.
If he’s out a few games, Indy’s season isn’t completely lost. Face it, the Titans are rebuilding and the Jaguars are just terrible. The only real competition within the division is the Houston Texans. Year after year “experts” say it’s the Texans year to trump the Colts and they’ve been disappointing. This season is their chance, only because the Colts may be down.
The Colts $4 million investment in Kerry Collins looks very smart now, huh. I wouldn’t have any confidence in this team with ole’ Curtis Painter directing the offense. Indy still has some strong weapons including Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Dwight Freeney, Gary Brackett, and Adam Vinatieri. Offensively, the line must protect and give Collins ample time to get comfortable with the offense and find an open target.
By all indications, Manning is not close to being healthy. The Colts would never announce Manning is being re-evaluated nor that he is out FIVE GAMES before game day. That’s not the teams normal handling.
The NFL, Colts and the fans need Manning to return to the field. At this point, I don’t think Peyton is even sure. For myself and others in my generations, I’m struggling to think back to a Colts team without him. He’s that important.