Indianapolis, IN – Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said Monday that superstar quarterback Peyton Manning likely won't play this season because of his lingering neck issue, then clarified his earlier comments with a more definitive statement.
Irsay, at a meeting of companies who helped bring this season's Super Bowl to Indianapolis, said Manning might be able to practice by December, but that the team was looking for him to return for the 2012 season.
After numerous media outlets reported that Irsay's comments loosely translated into his believing that Manning would be out for the rest of the season, the outspoken owner and social media maven further explained his initial remarks with a Twitter post.
"I didn't say Peyton out 4season FOR SURE,keeping him on ActiveRoster n taking it month by month/Outside chance of return n December possible," Irsay tweeted.
Manning underwent a neck procedure in May and in early September followed with a third operation in a span of 19 months. His first neck surgery came in March of 2010, but he did not miss a game that season.
Until this year, Manning had never missed a game since the Colts made him the top choice of the 1998 draft. A timetable has never been set for Manning's return.
The Colts are off to an 0-3 start this season, their worst since Manning's rookie year.
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