Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning will likely be out for the most, if not all, of the remainder of the season. Colts’ owner Jim Irsay announced at a breakfast meeting with Super Bowl donors on Monday that the quarterback may take practice snaps in December, but was unlikely to play again until next year.
Irsay clarified his position later in the day via Twitter, saying, “I didn’t say Peyton out 4season FOR SURE, keeping him on Active Roster n taking it month by month/Outside chance of return n December possible.”
It’s a tough position – he doesn’t want to take away hope, but unless the Colts are in the playoff hunt, there is absolutely no reason to hurry Manning back to the field. And with the Colts at 0-3 this year without Manning, they appear to be more likely playing for the Andrew Luck sweepstakes than for the playoffs come December.
Ironically, if that were to happen, the rest of the league wouldn’t be too happy about the Colts having a shot to go after Luck, widely referred to as “the most well prepared quarterback coming out of college since Peyton Manning” as the replacement for Manning, but it does appear to be a possibility.
Meanwhile, the Colts lost Manning’s backup, Kerry Collins, to a concussion in Sunday night’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Third string quarterback Curtis Painter was solid in limited relief, going 5 of 11 for 60 yards. Painter may get his first career start next Monday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, depending upon Collins recovery.
