Peyton Manning Injury: Why Colts QB Is Single Biggest Loss of 2011 Season

Though it has appeared inevitable for weeks, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay finally announced Monday that quarterback Peyton Manning will miss the entire 2011 NFL season. The Colts have not made a move to put Manning on injured reserve yet, but the report claims the quarterback would not be able to practice until December.

Irsay has since backed off those statements a bit but it is pretty clear the Colts have no expectation that Manning will play this season.

It goes without saying that this is a huge blow for the Colts, who have stumbled to an 0-3 start. Without Manning available at some point this season, Indianapolis can pretty much pack things up for 2011. As we've seen so far this year, Indianapolis just isn't the same without No. 18 under center.

While Kerry Collins and Curtis Painter have tried to lead the Colts' offense, it has proven a futile exercise. Despite having perennial Pro Bowlers in receiver Reggie Wayne, tight end Dallas Clark and center Jeff Saturday on the roster, neither signal-caller can move the football consistently. That shows just how much Manning means to his team.

Manning isn't just a four-time MVP quarterback, he's also the team's de-facto offensive coordinator. No one has a better grasp of the Colts' complicated offensive scheme than he does, which has become obvious during the first three weeks of the 2011 NFL season.

Since his absence, it has become even more clear that Manning is easily the most important player to his team in the NFL. While many had that opinion before his injury, watching Painter and Collins attempt to run the Colts' offense has only proven it further.

Without Manning, the Colts have gone from AFC South favorites to one of the worst teams in the NFL. Clearly his loss has been the biggest of any during the 2011 season.