The Colts have already declared Peyton Manning out for Week One. This won’t be like when Brett Favre was declared “out” last year, and then started anyway.
Manning released a statement Wednesday, which seems to close the matter for the week.
“To say I am disappointed in not being able to play is an understatement. The best part about football is being out there on the field playing with my teammates, Manning said. “It will be tough not to be out there playing for the organization and our fans.
“I simply am not healthy enough to play, and I am doing everything I can to get my health back. The team will do fine without me, and I know for sure that I will miss them much more than they will miss me.”
Manning is not practicing this week. The early declaration of his status is a sign that he’s not particularly close to playing.
This is truly the great unknown for the Colts. For a column on NBCSports.com Wednesday, I looked at whether the organization will be able to survive Manning’s injury until he gets back.
Unlike Ben Roethlisberger’s four-game suspension to start last year, no one is sure when Manning’s absence will end.
UPDATE: NFL Network’s Rich Eisen had a measured, sensible take on Manning Wednesday on PFT Live.