Reports of 4th surgery cast fresh doubts on Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning’s recovery – NFL News
A day after Indianapolis Colts’ owner, Jim Irsay, showed his willingness to have their quarterback, Peyton Manning, back to his side under a new deal, the player faces fresh questions on the progress he has made on his recovery from a neck surgery, which
will determine his chances of return to Colts.
The latest questions and doubts around the QB’s recovery status have emerged following a section of online media reported that Peyton Manning’s last year’s procedure on his neck was his fourth, not third, in less than past two years.
An anonymous source was quoted by the report claiming that the player had the procedure done in between his May 23 (2011) surgery to repair a bulging disk and neck fusion operation of September 9, 2011.
All the procedures were done on the right side of his neck, and that the player has had four surgeries in the period of past 19 months, contrary to the earlier reports that he in total had three surgeries.
This is the latest of all the confusion and controversies around the recovery of Peyton Manning from his neck injury and return to Colts in the future.
One of the Manning’s mystery looks to be resolved now that his employer is willing to negotiate with him a deal and accept him to the Indianapolis.
Irsay a day earlier hinted at meeting the player in a week time to discuss his health and comeback prospects. He at the same time emphasized that it was now the player’s call to prove his willingness and fitness to play for Colts again in the future.
"We want this to be his decision," Irsay said. "We want him back if he wants to come back. We can work out the contract if he wants to work it out. It's going to be Peyton's call."
Peyton is due the payment of $28 million optional bonus from Colts by March 08, 2012, and if they do not pay the amount he will become an unrestricted free agency. The payment will activate his contract for another four years.
There is a possibility now that both parties negotiate and agree to an extension into the deadline of March 08, 2012, with some changes in other parts of his contract.
In the face of the latest reports pointing out at that the player has four procedures on his neck makes his chances of recovery to his full fitness and gaining required strength in his right shoulder and throwing arm more doubtful.
Irsay has not come out with any remark on the latest injury related reports about Manning, still there is a likelihood this might affect the planned meeting between the owner and player, due sometime next week.
The reports might also affect his chances of negotiating and winning a better deal from his employer, as Irsay in one of his earlier statements had said that the player would need to pass the team’s physicals.
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