The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player spent reporting day at home in Indianapolis, his valuable left knee immobilized after he had surgery to remove an infected bursa sac.
Manning’s injury is Indianapolis’ biggest question heading into the preseason. For the first time since undergoing the procedure July 14, the perennial Pro Bowler tried to provide answers about the ailment that suddenly sidelined one of the league’s most durable quarterbacks last week.
“I’m not really in very much pain,” he told reporters in a conference call, his first public comments since surgery. “I have pain medication but I haven’t had to take any in about eight days. The doctors think no pain means the infection is clearing.”
That’s good news for the Colts, who are still hedging their bets at QB in case it takes Manning longer to recover.
Manning said he was being treated for swelling in the knee and had it drained several times during the offseason. Then July 14, he woke up in severe pain, had trouble walking and immediately flew back to Indy. Team doctors recommended he have surgery.
The former Super Bowl MVP is expected to miss four to six weeks. Manning is hoping coach Tony Dungy’s most recent prognosis on the shorter end proves correct. Manning never has missed a start, building the NFL’s second-longest streak of consecutive starts for a quarterback (160), and he’s missed only one play in his career because of injury.
Manning acknowledged he’d rather be resting at camp, where his teammates begin practice today. But Dungy acknowledged the better choice might be keeping Manning in Indy to avoid any potential temptation of returning too soon.
Manning’s longtime backup, Jim Sorgi, now becomes the temporary starter.
Manning is keeping the left leg compressed and elevated and continues to take antibiotics intravenously to prevent the risk of infection.
