Peyton Manning Injury: Is the Colts Quarterback Headed for His First off Year?

For the first time in a long time, the Indianapolis Colts appear to be in serious trouble.

The Colts have taken the recently retired Kerry Collins off the golf course and placed him back on the gridiron because the face of their franchise, Peyton Manning, is clearly not going to be ready to go come Week 1.

Manning has been unable to participate in any of the Colts preseason activities after undergoing neck surgery in May—his second such surgery.

This is obviously bad news for Indy, as many are projecting the Houston Texans as the team to beat in the AFC South this season (as they have been many times in the past, but this should be their year). The Colts will likely have Collins under center in the opening game of the season as the team takes on the Texans, which doesn't bode well for Indy. 

Manning's injury could spell disaster for the Colts in their season opener and beyond, but what does it really mean for the 11-time Pro Bowler's 2011 season?

Manning had another great season last year despite a rough three-week stretch that saw him throw 11 interceptions in three consecutive losses.

The 35-year-old still finished the 2010 season with 4,700 yards passing, 33 touchdowns and a 66.3 percent completion percentage.

His 91.9 passer rating was his lowest since 2002, but it was still good enough to land him amongst the top 10 in the league.

Manning started the 2010 season very strongly but seemed to tail off with all of the interceptions during that three-week stretch, beginning Week 11. Manning mostly rid himself of the interceptions during the final four games of the year, throwing just two, but his yardage numbers were also down to end the year.

Was his finish to the 2010 season a precursor of struggles to come during the 2011 season, especially considering his injury?

Don't count on it.

Manning has been as consistent as any other quarterback in the NFL over the past 12 seasons, throwing for more than 4,000 yards all but once (2005, when he had his second-highest QB rating ever), and maintaining a completion percentage of 62 percent or higher in every season since his rookie year.

Missing time shouldn't have much of an effect on the league's model of consistency, as Manning's ability to break down defenses is a trait that should return as soon as he steps on to the field for the first time in the 2011 season. 

Manning was voted by his peers as the second-best player in the league this past season in the NFL Network's Top 100 Countdown, so while his team may finally take a fall in 2011, don't expect him to. 

The four-time MVP still has some good years left in the tank and he will prove that once again this season.