Colts Owner Says Peyton Manning Unlikely To Return In 2011

Read More: Peyton Manning (QB - DEN), Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts have played their way to an 0-12 record without star QB Peyton Manning and it doesn't sound like they'll have him back during the 2011 season. Colts owner Jim Irsay told WRTV in Indianapolis that he can't "envision Peyton playing this year."

Surprised? No, I'm not. That's been pretty much what we've thought for some time. Manning's recovery process has never had a time table but as we sit here entering Week 14 Manning still isn't practicing and he would presumably have to practice at least a little bit before the Colts sent him back out there.

Plus, with Manning's injury and the Colts season going nowhere, there's really no reason to risk Manning's health, especially when you aren't sure of what his future is.

The stories involving Manning are less about his injury these days and more about how the Colts will handle the situation when they inevitably earn the No. 1 pick and the right to draft Andrew Luck.

So likely no Manning in 2011 is what we expected, but that doesn't make their decision on him (and his bonus) next March any easier.