Indianapolis Colts Activate Peyton Manning from PUP

Peyton Manning has played in 227 games straight, which is the second longest streak for a quarterback ever, behind Brett Favre’s streak. Now it looks like he might actually play in 228 games straight.

According to The Tribune Star, on Monday the Indianapolis Colts activated Manning off of the Physically Unable to Perform list (PUP), just days after signing retired QB Kerry Collins, sending up many red flags as to how healthy Manning actually was.

Manning had to be activated off the PUP list before Saturday to avoid having to sit the team’s first six games out—which include tough games against the division rival Houston Texans, AFC champion Pittsburgh Steelers and the up-and-coming Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Manning says that he is right on schedule. "This was one of my goals all along, to get back during the week of this last preseason game. This would give you two weeks of on-the-field work."

Colts center Jeff Saturday seems to agree, “I think he's right on schedule, I think it's whatever the trainers and the rehab say. That's where he is."

Manning has been on the PUP since August 1, resulting from a procedure in May to repair a nerve in his neck. Manning’s delay in recovery may be due to the NFL lockout, during which time he could not come into contact with the Indianapolis staff, including the team’s trainers.

The four-time MVP is still one of the best quarterbacks in the game. Indianapolis said so when they signed him to a five-year, $90 million contract in the offseason.

The mere thought of Manning missing time brought up the discussion that he may be the most irreplaceable player in the NFL—he’s definitely very depended upon by the Colts—but it looks like he may not be missing any time at all.