If Peyton Manning's Doubtful, Past History Says He Won't Play

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

By now everyone knows the news involving Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning. Due to his neck injury, the team is saying he will "likely be doubtful" for Sunday's Week 1 game against the Houston Texans, which would be the first time in his career (208 regular season games) that he's missed a start.

While we've known about Manning's injury for some time, the general consensus in league circles has been that, despite the injury, he'll somehow find a way to play. Past history has shown us that he always does. That's changing this week as the reports regarding Manning's neck paint a picture that the Colts QB almost certainly won't play on Sunday. 

Here's some more evidence of the unlikelihood of Manning playing: No NFL starter listed as doubtful in 2010 ended up playing that week. None.

Football Outsiders has a fascinating chart looking at all the players listed as doubtful dating back to 2002 and how many of them ended up actually playing. Last year, not one starter listed as doubtful ended up playing. 

So Manning's chances of playing on Sunday may be more bleak than just doubtful.