NFL: Dungy hopeful Manning will be ready
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS ó Tony Dungy is certain Peyton Manning’s left knee will be ready for the Colts’ season-opener.
Heck, the Colts coach said he thinks Manning might even play during the presesason.
On Tuesday, Dungy said he was optimistic the Colts’ biggest question heading into training camp ó Manning’s valuable knee ó could be resolved quicker than most people expect. Manning had surgery last week to remove an infected bursa sac, a procedure doctors said would require four to six weeks to heal.
Typically, Dungy defers to the medical experts on injury matters, but the Colts’ Super Bowl-winning coach knows Manning well enough to realize keeping Manning off the field for six weeks may be tougher than the rehab process.
“I have talked to Peyton and we’re just following the doctors instructions right now,” Dungy said. “I’m hoping for four weeks, but if he’s truly out six weeks, I think it will be hard to keep him out. However it goes, he’ll be ready when he comes back.”
Manning has not spoken publicly since having surgery last Tuesday and is expected to take questions Thursday.