Peyton Manning Injury: Should Indianapolis Colts Put Manning on IR?

Up until this year, we've only had to wonder just how good the Indianapolis Colts would be without Peyton Manning.

Well, the Colts don't have Manning now, and we saw this past weekend that the Colts just aren't very good without him. In fact, as evidenced by their 34-7 thrashing at the hands of the Houston Texans, they're pretty freaking awful.

As for whether or not Manning will be back to rescue the Colts from their plight, that's more of a matter of "if" than it is a matter of "when." He opted to have further surgery on his neck less than a week ago, and indications are that he's going to miss the bulk of the season. Maybe all of it.

Because the Colts are going to be doomed until Manning comes back, and because Manning is not going to be able to salvage the team's season, the question begging to be asked is whether or not the Colts are better off putting him on injured reserve.

The answer to that question, according to Colts vice chairman Bill Polian, is no. At least, not for now.

Via CBS Sports' Ryan Wilson, here is Polian's explanation:

"

We saved the spot for Bob Sanders last year all the way up to week 12, maybe even beyond that because the prognosis, which is just that – it’s a guesstimate the doctors give you, it’s not cast in concrete – was that Bob had a chance to make it back by the end of the season.

That did not occur. What I’ve said to Peyton and what we’ve said publicly is that we will leave him on the active roster as long as the doctors tell us there’s a chance for him to come back.

"

So, conceivably, Manning's doctors could tell him and the Colts that he will be ready to play by Week 17, and that would be enough to convince the Colts not to put him on IR.

Sensible? I guess. But pointless? That, too.

Sure, there's a chance that Manning could come back healthy this year. And yes, it would be nice to see him back out on the gridiron.

But here's my question: Why bother?

Instead of running Manning out there as soon as ready, you just wonder if the Colts are better off playing it safe by keeping him sidelined. That will obviously signal that they are totally forsaking their 2011 season, but I think you and I both know that their 2011 season is already forsaken.

Besides, the idea that Manning will be back this season is optimistic to the point of being delusional. A couple of days ago, a renowned spinal surgeon told the USA Today that the Colts would be wise to shut Manning down for "at least six months."

Given the kind of surgery Manning had, which FOX Sports' Jay Glazer said involved a chunk of bone being taken from his hip and fused to his vertebrae, that sounds like a reasonable prognosis. If so, Manning is just as likely to be ready to go in February as he is in November or December.

All things considered, the Colts have every excuse they need not to take any chances. Just because they could play Manning again this season doesn't mean that they should.

If they have any brains—and they do—the Colts will put Manning on IR.

---

LIFE HURTS. THIS INJURY UPDATE BROUGHT TO YOU BY DICKIES.