Peyton Manning: Second Neck Surgery Will Sideline Superstar for 2 More Months

Colts fans and Peyton Manning fantasy owners around the world are weeping today. Manning underwent another neck surgery after he failed to recover from his previous neck surgery on May 23rd. Manning is out for at least two months, ending the Colts' playoff hopes before the season even begins.

Manning was unable to rehab as he wanted to this offseason, as the lockout barred him from using team facilities. Four months of recovery time wasn't enough time for Manning, and another neck surgery has some outlets like the Washington Post questioning whether or not Manning will ever take a snap again in the NFL.

He's 35 and a quick succession of neck surgeries that haven't done the trick doesn't speak well to his NFL future. The Colts were hoping to salvage at least a few more years from the best player in the history of their franchise, as Manning makes a team with glaring weaknesses a playoff contender.

The Colts had serious holes on their line and gave up the least amount of sacks in the league. They don't have a true feature back in their offense—aside from Reggie Wayne, the receivers are forgettable and an aging defense is clinging for dear life.

Manning is everything to the Colts, or is it more logical to say was everything? Manning is a warrior. When it was announced that he wouldn't be available in the opener, whether or not he would return at all became a serious question.

After all, he's had four months to recover. Will one more week really do the trick? Concerns were justified today, and with another surgery comes another lengthy recovery at an inopportune time.

Kerry Collins takes control of the offense, but only Manning can make that team a playoff contender. While he may keep the team from being a bottom feeder in the NFL, the bigger concern is what lies ahead for Manning?

This isn't a dislocated finger or even a broken leg. Neck surgery is no tiny procedure. If Manning is at less than 100 percent next season, what happens then? He's already accomplished pretty much everything a quarterback could ever hope to.

He was the driving force behind taking the Colts from the bottom to the top. He's got a ring, been an MVP, he's a first-ballot Hall of Famer and he will go down as one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game.

While Manning clearly would love to get back on the field, he's at the point in his career where health is a bigger priority than ever. Would he really jeopardize his health to salvage a couple more years or football?

The AFC South has officially been blown wide open. The Colts are no longer a front runner to win the division. The Texans, Jaguars and Titans obviously don't want to see Manning fall victim to injury, but another surgery for him opens the door for them to take hold of the division.

The Colts are a mediocre team without Manning. Even if Manning is able to come back in two months, the damage will have already been done. Hopefully for the Colts, they haven't seen the last of Manning in an Indianapolis uniform.