Less than a month after signing franchise quarterback Peyton Manning to a five-year, $90 million contract, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay took to his Twitter page to express concern that the 11-time Pro Bowler may not be recovered from offseason neck surgery in time to start the regular season-opener against the Houston Texans.
"We r evaluating the QB sitch, #18 healing but we must 2 b prepared 4 early season possibility without him,defense has 2 pick it up,big time!," Irsay wrote.
Manning underwent surgery in May, his second neck operation in 15 months. The four-time MVP downplayed questions about his recovery time, pointing out that he was back on the field a few weeks after the 2010 operation. Initial estimates, including from Irsay, pegged Manning's return from the latest surgery in the 6-to-8 week range.
Prior to the end of the lockout, Manning suggested that the lockout preventing his from working directly with the Colts medical staff was contributing to his slower-than-expected recovery. That did not prevent the Colts from signing Manning to the $18 million per year contract, but three weeks into training camp, the most important player on the team remains on the sidelines while his replacements -- Curtis Painter, Dan Orlovsky, Nate Davis (since released) and rookie Mike Hartline -- have completed just 43 percent of their 52 pass attempts for 309 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions for a passer rating of 36.5.
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Mar 7
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