Peyton Manning has started 227 consecutive games but his streak may end Sunday.
Colts fans have a big reason to be concerned about the season, and the games haven’t even started. The health of Peyton Manning remains in question following his second neck surgery 15 weeks ago today.
The team activated their franchise quarterback off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list just a week ago, and now there appear to be complications.
“The rate of improvement in Peyton’s rehabilitation process slowed. Over the weekend Peyton experienced soreness in his back…The Colts medical team decided to initiate diagnostic tests and to consult with a number of specialists around the country who have been involved in Peyton’s case from the outset.
And here’s the most telling part:
“As a result of the most recent development the doctors have decided that Peyton will not practice. His participation therefore, in Sunday’s game versus Houston will likely be doubtful.”
Doubtful. A bad word, and so early in the week. The fact that the Colts, who rarely report what’s actually going on, are saying Manning’s status for Sunday’s season opener are doubtful truly demonstrate the seriousness of the issue.
According to SI’s Peter King, the Colts have brought in four specialists to evaluate Manning’s condition and decide if surgery is necessary. After his surgery 15 weeks ago to repair a bulging disc, there is a lot of rehab to be done maybe the perfectionist, Manning overdid it. That could explain the back problems.
Manning has also had to rely on his body’s regeneration of nerves. There’s nothing he can do to speed up the process there, as it’s all in hands of mother nature.
Below is the full statement from the team:
In response to a number of media inquiries, the Colts issue the following update on Peyton Manning’s status.
During the last week, the rate of improvement in Peyton’s rehabilitation process slowed. Over the weekend Peyton experienced soreness in his back. It was originally thought to be a normal reaction to his rehabilitation regimen. When the soreness persisted, the Colts medical team decided to initiate diagnostic tests and to consult with a number of specialists around the country who have been involved in Peyton’s case from the outset. That process continues. As a result of the most recent development the doctors have decided that Peyton will not practice. His participation therefore, in Sunday’s game versus Houston will likely be doubtful. We will update his playing status as required by NFL policy as the week goes on.
At the conclusion of the diagnostic process, if there are any new developments in the prognosis which we outlined for Peyton at the start of training camp we will report them. As of now Peyton continues to deal with a complicated neurological recovery, the end date of which is unpredictable.
As was stated at the outset, it serves no useful purpose to speculate about hypothetical outcomes. When and if there are concrete medical facts to report we will do so.
We appreciate your consideration in this matter.