Read between the lines: Colts’ Manning seems pretty unlikely for opener
For the first time, Colts QB Peyton Manning has admitted that his availability for the season opener against the Bears is not a certainty. And he’s not the only one in doubt.
Manning attended his first practice of the season Tuesday and finally spoke to the public. He had been kept out of public view since having surgery to remove an infected bursa sac from his left knee July 14 (the bursa sac is a small sac of fluid beneath the kneecap that cushions and lubricates the knee when it moves). Team officials said he was staying away to reduce the risk of another infection.
“I’ve not really had a whole lot to say, to tell you the truth,” he said. “As to when I’ll be back on the practice field, that’s still to be determined. Obviously, the sooner, the better for me. My goal is to be back for the first game.”
Colts owner Jim Irsay conceded “it’ll be close on Peyton. Only he will know if he’s ready. I think there’s a good chance he will be. We know there’s more rehab ahead, but he is on schedule. The anticipation is he’ll be ready, but it’ll be close.”
Throughout Manning’s absence, team officials have repeatedly said Manning’s rehabilitation is on schedule. He was expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks, and coach Tony Dungy thinks Manning could be practicing by next week, which would make it the sixth week.
The timetable remains uncertain, though, and Dungy could not assure fans that Manning would be ready to face the Bears.
“I don’t think we can guarantee that,” Dungy said. “I don’t know if any of those [injured] guys will be out there on [Sept. 7], but my guess is they will be.”
Manning has worked at regaining the range of motion in his left knee, done some throwing to keep his arm in shape, is lifting weights and has been able to do some light running. He was wearing a wrap on Tuesday and threw a few passes on the side, but that was about it.
He has started 160 consecutive regular-season games since being drafted No. 1 overall in 1998. Manning’s backup is Jim Sorgi, who has been in that role for five years. But this guy is only a one-year college starter who has never started an NFL game.
Be afraid, Colts fans! Bears fans, on the other hand, might be feeling much more confident about Week 1 today. Who would have thought Kyle Orton might be the best QB on the field for a night?
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Eddie Griffin
In the end, I think Peyton will start in Week 1. I also think that Sorgi will certainly get a decent amount of playing time, because there’s no sense in trying to go all out so early.
August 21st, 2008 at 1:03 pm