The Peyton Manning saga may have just gotten a lot more interesting.
The Indianapolis quarterback has been medically cleared to resume his NFL career by two doctors, according to an ESPN report Thursday. The four-time MVP missed the 2011 season because of lingering problems from a third neck surgery in the past two years.
The report said that Dr. Robert Watkins, who performed the latest surgery on Manning’s neck on Sept. 8, and Colts neurosurgeon Dr. Hank Feuer had cleared Manning to play again.
Colts owner Jim Irsay said he would meet soon with Manning, who turns 36 on March 24, to discuss the quarterback’s future.
Manning’s contract calls for a $28 million roster bonus in early March. Irsay wants more medical information before that date to help decide whether to keep Manning or release him. Irsay has raised the possibility of extending the March 8 roster bonus deadline, although it is uncertain if Manning would agree to a delay.
The latest report came on a day general manager Ryan Grigson announced the hiring of Greg Manusky as defensive coordinator, Roy Anderson as the secondary coach in charge of safeties and Marwan Maalouf as special teams coach. Grigson also said former Colts offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen would remain on the staff probably as the quarterbacks or receivers coach.
Watkins said Dec. 1 that surgery to fuse two disks in Manning’s neck had achieved a “firm fixation,” and that he could increase his level of activity. Manning has since resumed throwing.
ESPN cited a source saying Feuer recently told Manning, “If you were my own son, I’d tell you to go play.”
Manning said Tuesday in an ESPN interview that he was making significant progress and expected to be cleared to play in the near future.
EXTRA POINTS
A federal judge has set an April 2 trial date in Dallas federal court for former Chicago Bears receiver Sam Hurd, who is charged with trying to buy large quantities of marijuana and cocaine to create a drug-distribution network. … NFL owners approved a $200 million loan to help the San Francisco 49ers build a 68,000-seat stadium adjacent to the 49ers’ practice facility south of Santa Clara. … The Packers hired Tom Clements as their offensive coordinator. … The Raiders hired seven additional coaches – including running backs coach Kelly Skipper, assistant offensive line coach Steve Wisniewski and defensive quality control coach Eric Sanders, who were with the team last season, and former Houston assistant Frank Pollack as offensive line coach. … The Ravens signed ex-Broncos defensive coordinator Don Martindale as linebackers coach.
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