Before Sunday night, we had assumed that Colts quarterback Peyton Manning would have been listed on the league-mandated Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday injury report as being a limited participant in practice. Then, he would have been listed as questionable for Sunday. Then, we all would have learned at some point on Sunday morning whether Manning or Kerry Collins would get the start.
The Colts have taken a dramatically different course, announcing on Monday that Manning won’t practice this week, and that he likely will be listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game.
“During the last week, the rate of improvement in Peyton’s rehabilitation process slowed,” the Colts said in a statement release moments ago. “Over the weekend Peyton experienced soreness in his back. It was originally thought to be a normal reaction to his rehabilitation regimen. When the soreness persisted, the Colts medical team decided to initiate diagnostic tests and to consult with a number of specialists around the country who have been involved in Peyton’s case from the outset. That process continues.
“As a result of the most recent development the doctors have decided that Peyton will not practice. His participation therefore, in Sunday’s game versus Houston will likely be doubtful. We will update his playing status as required by NFL policy as the week goes on.”
The Colts describe the situation as “a complicated neurological recovery, the end date of which is unpredictable,” and they commit to providing “concrete medical facts” when available and relevant.
The statement reflects a willingness by Manning, who has been throwing the federal HIPAA privacy law around, to allow the information to be disclosed publicly. Few if any pro athletes have taken refuge in HIPAA; the fact that Manning has apparently reversed course suggests that the time has come for candor regarding his situation.
Then again, we apparently still haven’t gotten the full story. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen correctly predicted on SportsCenter before the statement was released that the word “doubtful” would appear in the statement from the Colts. Mort also predicted that the statement would indicate that the strength in Manning’s triceps muscle had plateaued. The statement was silent on that point. Presumably, such silence didn’t apply to whatever Mort had been told by the Colts or by Manning’s camp.