Manning would get healthier by taking the first weekoff

Tag : Cell Phone Conference Call
Manning made it to his first practice of the season Tuesday, thenended his self-imposed silence by saying he wanted to play inIndianapolis' first regular-season game Sept. 7 against Chicago --although he couldn't provide a guarantee.
"I've not really had a whole lot to say to tell you thetruth," he said. "As to when I'll be back on the practicefield, that's still to be determined. Obviously, the sooner, thebetter for me. My goal is to be back for the first game."
Indy's franchise quarterback had been kept out of public view sincehaving surgery to remove an infected bursa sac from his left kneeJuly 14. Team officials said he was staying away to reduce the riskof another infection.
Things began changing Monday night when the former Super Bowl MVParrived at the PeyBack Foundation's charity bowling event, whichwas closed to the media.
Over the past couple of weeks, local radio talk shows have beenfilled with questions about whether Manning's knee was worse thanoriginally diagnosed and whether he might miss the season opener --or additional games -- and a local television station showed anapparent photo of Manning at the bowling tournament Monday with abrace over his right knee.
By Tuesday morning, Manning was back at practice in his familiarNo. 18 jersey, minus a helmet or pads, and wearing a wrap aroundhis left knee. He threw a few passes but spent most of the timechatting with team owner Jim Irsay and coach Tony Dungy at the newLucas Oil Stadium.
Afterward, Manning took questions for the first time since aconference call July 24, the date his teammates reported totraining camp, and he wasted no time in dismissing the growingspeculation.
"This, maybe, will stop some of the whining going on," hesaid. "I just didn't want to get into these daily progressreports. I've done nothing but rehab, I guess we're sort of in therumor mill now. I don't wear a knee brace, I wore this [wrap]today, really for the first time.
"If we're to the point of someone putting a cell phone pictureon the news, that's a little disappointing. So I guess, I'll squashthat right now, it's not true. I don't wear a knee brace."
Throughout Manning's absence, team officials have repeatedly saidManning's rehabilitation is on schedule. He was expected to missfour to six weeks, and Dungy believes Manning could be practicingby next week.
The time table remains uncertain, though, and Dungy could notassure fans that Manning would be ready to face the Bears.
"I don't think we can guarantee that," Dungy said."I don't know if any of those [injured] guys will be out thereon the 7th, but my guess is they will be."
Irsay doesn't want to take any chances with his prized player.
After drafting Manning with the No. 1 pick in 1998, Irsay haswatched Manning start all 160 regular-season games and 14 straightplayoff games, leading the Colts to eight playoff appearances and aSuper Bowl title following the 2006 season.
If it means Manning would get healthier by taking the first weekoff and ending the NFL's second-longest streak for consecutivestarts by a quarterback, Irsay implied Manning would sit out.
Getting Manning back wasn't the only pleasant sight for Dungy.
Bob Sanders, last year's defensive player of the year, andthree-time Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney were in pads forthe first time Tuesday.
Sanders had offseason shoulder surgery for the second straightyear, and Freeney hadn't practiced since undergoing season-endingfoot surgery in November. The return was a welcome respite forIndy's two defensive leaders, who were limited to personal workoutsduring the team's training camp in Terre Haute, Ind.
"I should definitely be ready in three weeks," Freeneysaid. "I think I'm close [to 100 percent]. I'm definitely goodenough to compete and play."
Freeney said he hadn't missed this much time on a football fieldsince high school.
Sanders, however, has and shown little negative impact from sittingout.
He has missed most of training camp in three of his five NFLseasons, and last year was regularly held out of the Colts' midweekpractices. Sanders responded by starting a career-high 15 games andbecoming the first Colts' player to win the league's top defensiveaward.
"It's great to be running around with my teammates instead ofstanding around wishing you were out there," he said."Rehabbing is something I'll have to continue to do throughoutmy career. What's important is to continue to use that time to makesure you're mentally sharp."
Just like Manning, however long it is until he starts throwingtouchdown passes.
"This has been a new process for me, and it's not been themost enjoyable process," Manning said. "I can throw. Ihave been able to keep my arm in shape. I can certainly liftweights with my upper body, and my lower body, so I feel I've beenable to stay with my strength level. As far as when, and how muchtime I need, we'll just have to kind of wait and see."
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