Peyton Manning and 10 NFL Stars Who Will Bounce Back in 2012

This season, the NFL has experienced a lot of injuries and setbacks to star players, but many fans will continue to hold hope that those players will bounce back next season.

With the Indianapolis Colts losing star quarterback Peyton Manning to start the year, they have seen their worst results since Manning joined the team.

Many other teams have seen their season's take a step into the wrong direction because of players going down, whether it was that player or the result of that player's loss on the results of others.

If we have learned anything in the past from star athletes, many times they are able to make a comeback despite their woes in previous seasons.

These 10 stars are sure to make a comeback in 2012 and help in bringing their respective teams back to glory.

Matt Schaub

The Houston Texans' are already locked in for the NFL playoffs, but that's all mostly because quarterback Matt Schaub led them to a 7-3 start on the year. He was injured in Week 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and things haven't been the same since his injury.

The Texans defense has done a great job holding up on their part, but the loss of Schaub has definitely hit this Texans team.

Next season, expect Schaub to come in and make things happen once again. He has been a force in Houston ever since the team acquired him from the Atlanta Falcons before the 2007 season.

He was missing wide receiver Andre Johnson for most of the season, but he was still able to throw for 2,479 yards and 15 touchdowns. 

Jamaal Charles

The Kansas City Chiefs were looking to have a breakout year with running back Jamaal Charles set to be their primary back. Things didn't start out as expected, as Charles went down in Week 2 against the Detroit Lions with an injured ACL.

Charles didn't have a great start in his Week 1 game against the Buffalo Bills, as they held him to only 56 yards on 10 carries.

In 2010, Charles played in all 16 games, but he only started six of them. That season, he ran for 1,467 yards with five touchdowns. Given that he was going to be the primary back this season, many expected that Charles would eclipse last year's mark.

After having a great year in 2010, many should expect Charles to bounce back in 2012 and make up for the lost season he had.

Jay Cutler

Before breaking the thumb on his throwing hand, Jay Cutler had the Chicago Bears offense moving in the right direction. Cutler was having a good start to his season, having already 2,319 yards and 13 touchdown passes through 10 games.

The Bears were standing at 7-3 and were coming off a five-game winning streak. The Bears lost Cutler following their victory over the San Diego Chargers, and things haven't looked good ever since.

The Bears have dropped their last four games, and it looks like what was once a playoff team is no longer so. 

Cutler was moving into the right direction in his third year with the Bears, and next season, he should be able to continue his progress.

DeSean Jackson

After having back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons in 2009 and 2010, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson saw a huge drop off in his numbers this season.

Jackson started out the 2011 season holding out for a better contract, which resulted in no extension for the young talented wideout. The year didn't end up going as well as Jackson would have hoped for during a contract year, but perhaps, next season he will be able to prove himself—whether that be in Philly or elsewhere.

In 2010, Jackson had over 1,000 yards receiving and had eight total touchdowns through 14 games. This season, Jackson's numbers have dropped to 785 receiving yards and only three total touchdowns on the year.

Jackson is clearly having a down year, but he should be able to bounce back in 2012 with a new team. It doesn't seem as if Jackson will be back in Philly next season, as there have been one too many problems between him and the front office.

Miles Austin

The Dallas Cowboys' big-threat wide receiver Miles Austin has only played in eight games this season due to a lingering hamstring problem. While the Cowboys have been in the playoff hunt, his absence has certainly hurt their chances.

Through eight games, Austin has only reached 519 yards and six touchdowns. His touchdown mark isn't terrible, but with only one game with over 100 yards, many would say Austin is not exactly playing at the top of his game.

Austin is only 27 years old and is coming off a 1,041 yard season. He has nearly matched his touchdown mark from last year, with seven, but he looks like he will be able to eclipse that mark this season.

While Austin will likely finish out the year playing, his stats should improve much more next season if he can stay healthy.

Peyton Manning

It has not been a good year for the Indianapolis Colts or quarterback Peyton Manning. The Colts have only won two games with their star player sitting out this season due to a neck injury, which resulted in essentially season-ending surgery.

Manning, who looked like he was going to return late this season, should be good to go next season pending how he feels after this offseason. Colts owner Jim Irsay said yesterday that he "envisions Manning playing with the Colts next season if he is healthy."

So despite the possibility of adding Stanford Cardinal standout quarterback Andrew Luck, there should be no change in the the signal-caller in Indy.

Considering Manning has never missed a game in his career, besides this entire season, it's a pretty sure bet that Manning can bounce back if healthy. If healthy, expect the four-time MVP to make another run at a great season.

Eric Berry

After coming off a huge rookie season, the Kansas City Chiefs had high hopes for young safety Eric Berry.

Unfortunately, they lost Berry in the first game of the season as he sustained a torn ACL against the Buffalo Bills.

The loss of Berry was a huge loss for the team, but his return next year should add even more strength to what's already a great pass defense in Kansas City.

This season, the Chiefs are only allowing 209.6 yards per game. That ranks ninth best in the entire NFL. With Berry coming back next season, the Chiefs will be having a rookie Pro Bowl player who put up 92 tackles and four interceptions in just his rookie season

Michael Vick

Michael Vick had an amazing fairy tale comeback last year with the Philadelphia Eagles.

In his first season starting close to a full season since 2006 with the Atlanta Falcons, Vick played in 12 games for the Eagles and made the 2010 Pro Bowl team.

This season, Vick has started in 11 games—just as many as in 2010—but his numbers are not nearly as good. After throwing 21 touchdowns last season, Vick only has thrown 13 on the year.

More importantly, Vick's turnover numbers are up from last year. On the season, Vick has turned the ball over 18 times. Compared to last season, that's already five more times than last year.

He also has ran for 100 less yards this season. It's not likely that Vick will ever come close to 1,000-yard mark he had back in 2006, but his mobility is key to his success.

After Vick showed much improvement in his first full season as a starter, there's reason to believe that Vick can bounce back in 2012. He has been struggling with broken ribs, and clearly, he hasn't been able to be the mobile quarterback he was just a year ago.

Dwayne Bowe

After having 15 touchdowns through 16 games last year, the Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe only was able to haul in four through 14 games.

Bowe's receiving yards have been respectable at 986 thus far, but his lack of touchdowns has certainly hurt his status as one of the NFL's elite this season.

It doesn't help that the Chiefs have had a lot of quarterback problems this season, so consistency hasn't been there. Still, Bowe is supposed to be a game changer, and he has yet to show that this season.

After Kyle Orton pulled off a win as the starting quarterback over the undefeated Green Bay Packers, it isn't clear on who the Chiefs see as their starting quarterback next year. Matt Cassel is still under contract, but they will have a choice to make in possibly retaining Orton. Who knows, they may look for another option in this year's NFL draft.

Bowe proved last season that he was a No. 1 receiver, and there's no reason to believe that he shouldn't be able to pick back up on his previous numbers if he's given a little consistency at quarterback next season.

Ray Lewis

The Baltimore Ravens' middle linebacker Ray Lewis has been out since Week 11 due to a turf-toe injury. Lewis hasn't been the same force that he has been in the past, but there's no reason to dismiss one of the most-feared players in the game from continuing to do so next season.

This year, Lewis only has 58 tackles with two forced fumbles and an interception. Last year, Lewis had 102 tackles, which was his highest mark since 2004.

It's clear that Lewis isn't on the back-end of his career just yet, so the Ravens' middle linebacker has proven that he still has the ability to stop opposing offenses this late in his career.

It remains to be seen if Lewis will return any time this season, but if he does, don't expect to see anything different than what you have seen in the past.

Lewis is one of the most aggressive and smartest players on defense, and he will continue to prove that when healthy next season.

Jeff Chase is a Featured Columnist for the Chicago Cubs and Arizona State Football