Peyton Manning ‘Simply Not Healthy Enough’ To Play For Colts In Opener
When the Indianapolis Colts open their season Sunday at Houston, they will do so without Peyton Manning under center for the first time in 14 years.
In a statement Wednesday, the Indianapolis Colts quarterback said: "I simply am not healthy enough to play."
Manning, who has started every game for the Colts since 1998, was deemed likely to be doubtful for the season opener when the team updated his status Monday. He had a second surgery on his neck in May and was only activated off the team's physically unable to perform (PUP) list on August 29.
His statement means he will officially be out, unavailable to play for the first time in his career.
"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. 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's absence means Kerry Collins will step in to start against the Texans. Collins, who had announced his retirement on July 7, was signed by the Colts last month as insurance in case Manning wasn't ready.
This is why you have insurance.
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