Peyton Manning's Injured Neck Must Cause Concern for Indianapolis Colts

Peyton Manning’s injury is a real pain in the neck, both literally and figuratively.

The core issue is that he needs the nerves in the region to naturally grow back. There is no medication or training regiment that can speed up this process. This is especially concerning considering he had his most recent surgery back in July.

After holding out hope, Manning officially has no chance of playing the last two games of the 2011 regular season.

Recently Manning has been throwing balls to teammates after practice, but he is still not even close to being ready to play in a game. Colts Vice Chairman Bill Polian told the Indianapolis Star on Tuesday that as soon as Manning fails his postseason physical, he is free to do workouts at the team facilities.  

With free agency still over two months away, Manning has time to show the Indianapolis Colts that he is going to be just fine. It’s going to be a pressure-packed time for No. 18, that’s for sure. His future with the only team he’s ever known depends on it. Who would have guessed that the first month of the offseason would be the most pivotal time in the history of the franchise?

With the Colts at 1-13 and holding a full one game lead for the No. 1 overall pick, will they draft Andrew Luck and play it safe?

The 35-year-old Manning has now endured three neck surgeries in the last 19 months. Polian has acknowledged that the organization is reevaluating every possible option for his franchise:

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Even absent the injury, it is time because of his chronological age and his football age to begin looking for his successor. And if the right person were there, we wouldn't hesitate.

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It’s not looking good for Manning and the slow progress on his neck has got to be absolutely maddening right now. A player that was worked so hard his entire career is at the mercy of an injury that nobody can seem to solve. He even went to a different continent, seeking help he never found.

The NFL is a cold world and despite being the face of a very successful franchise for over a decade, as soon as something goes wrong it’s over.

With the opportunity to have a franchise quarterback in Luck for the next 10-to-15 years, it makes a lot more sense than clinging to a declining 35-year-old with a horrendous neck issue.

Be prepared for plenty of updates on his progression over the next two months but as of right now, things are as bleak as ever for Manning to stay in Indianapolis.