Peyton Manning's Return Imminent Despite Brother Eli Manning's Vague Words

Neck injuries are not to be taken lightly in the game of football.

That's why Peyton Manning's brother and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning was so vague when asked if Manning would ever return to the field.

Said Eli on Wednesday, via ESPNNewYork.com, "I hope so. Yeah, I think so, yes."

In just a few words, Eli changed his stance three times, from hope to possibility to certainty.

That's because Eli, just like the rest of us, can't say for sure if the Indianapolis Colts franchise quarterback will ever be back. Not even Peyton. He is certainly not ready now. He probably won't be this season.

But something in Eli was telling him Peyton would be back. Was it a hunch? A gut feeling? Or was it something more?

I believe the reason Eli changed his mind in a split-second is because he knows who Peyton is deep down inside, as do we. He's a competitor. He's a team-first player. He's a leader.

As maddening as the whole Brett Favre retirement/unretirement saga was, Favre wasn't to blame for the circus...or his wavering—because Favre simply couldn't control himself. He was born to play football. And when that's the case, an individual removes all logic, all doubt and continues to play football, even if there is clear evidence that it's time to hang up his cleats.

Manning isn't much different than Favre. He's a future Hall of Famer, and he didn't become that without tirelessly working on his craft and, more importantly, loving the game. He may have had two neck surgeries already, but one look at his face during the Colts' 62-7 embarrassment to Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints in Week 7 was all you needed to know about his chances of returning.

Because, neck injury and all, Manning simply can't take himself off the field for good right now. He knows he can still play; he knows he owes it to the Colts after signing a massive multi-year deal. He can't bear watching the Colts go down in flames like this.

All logic is telling Eli that his brother could be done for, but something inside reassures him Peyton will be back.

It's called his heart, and Peyton Manning has plenty of it.