Peyton Manning: Will the Indianapolis Colts QB Play at All in 2011?

With Chris Mortensen breaking the news that Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning has been getting multiple opinions on his ailing neck injury due to slow progress, one can now wonder just how serious Manning's injury is, and whether or not he'll play at all in the 2011 NFL season.

The Colts did sign veteran quarterback Kerry Collins a few weeks ago, bringing up suspicions that Manning would not be ready for the season opener, but with all this talk around his slow progress, Collins could be taking more snaps as a Colts starter than previously thought.

Collins completed 160 of his 278 attempts in 10 games as a starter last season, with 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions—a far cry from the numbers Peyton put up last season, which were completing 450 of his 679 attempts, with 33 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.

Needless to say, losing Manning for anything more than two games will put a serious doubt into the Colts having anything that resembles a successful season.

Even if Manning can make a return, say after two games, he will still need to get over the mental hurdles first, then get his play back to game speed, which could take a few games.

Manning's best days are behind him, but he still has a lot to offer, but after suffering from an injury at the age of 35, Manning's neck will now be an area of concern for the rest of his NFL career, as we all know your body doesn't heal in its mid-30s like a body does in its mid-to-late-20s.

If Manning does in fact not make it back this season, and Collins leads the Colts down misery lane, maybe the silver cloud in the lining would be landing Andrew Luck in the 2012 NFL Draft.