Peyton Manning: Will He Be Ready for the Colts Regular Season Opener?

Will Peyton Manning be ready for the Colts regular season opener? 

I don't know. Maybe. 

OK.  Will Peyton Manning play in the Colts regular season opener? 

Of course.  He hasn't missed a game ever.  In 13 seasons, he's started every game. 

OK.  I'm sure he'll be mentally ready, right? 

Of course.  No one in the NFL is more mentally prepared before a game than Manning.  The question is, will he be physically ready for the Colts regular season opener?

Manning had surgery back in May to correct some neck issues he had throughout last season, and he only trusts the Colts training staff to rehab him.

Once the lockout is over and players can have contact with their team's training staff, Manning's rehab can begin.

Bob Kravitz, of the Indianapolis Star, brought up a good point in his article today:

"

One day after Manning's surgery, Colts owner Jim Irsay told reporters at the NFL meetings in Chicago, "It's usually a six- to eight-week recovery period. I think this is one you can bounce back from quickly."

Come July 31, it will be almost 10 weeks since the procedure. Barring a miracle recovery, Manning is not going to be ready for the start of camp.

"

That's right.  If it's a six- to eight-week recovery period and training camps, we assume, would start in early August, is it realistic to think Manning could get much time at all during the preseason? 

The regular season is set to start Sept. 11th, when the Colts visit the Texans.  He'll start that game, but will he be fully rehabbed?  Probably.

So what's the problem?  Who cares about preseason?  Peyton Manning will be under center, fully rehabbed by the opening game. 

That's what Colts fans thought back in 2008.  The dreaded Peyton Manning bursa sac preseason. 

Manning had an infected bursa sac in his knee removed in the offseason.  During preseason, Manning didn't get as much time with his receivers as he normally does.  The timing between Manning and the Colts receivers seemed to be off, as the Colts struggled to a 3-4 record.

Let's hope Manning rahabs quickly once the lockout ends and is able to get enough time with his receivers, so he's sharp come Sept. 11th in Houston.

Check out Brian's blog, The Hair of the Dog Sports Blog.  Follow Brian on Twitter @coldy4goldy.