The Denver Broncos are relieved Peyton Manning wasn’t seriously injured on a hard hit by New Orleans Saints defensive end Martez Wilson.
The Broncos are expected to have the NFL look at the play from Sunday night’s game in which Manning banged his right thumb on Wilson’s helmet just before the crown of that helmet hit the quarterback in the chin.
“It’ll be something we look at and get the TV copy,” Broncos coach John Fox said Monday. “We haven’t done all that yet. And I’m not really able to comment on what we turn into the league and what we don’t, but that’s one we’ll look at closely.”
Manning acknowledged he was “probably a little bit lucky” that he banged the thumbnail and not the knuckle of his throwing hand on Wilson’s helmet.
Although no flag was thrown, it was similar to the illegal hit last month that cost Broncos linebacker Joe Mays a $50,000 fine and a one-game suspension for blasting Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub.
In fact, Mays will not be playing any more games this season, but this time it is because of injury.
It was announced Monday that Mays will be out for the rest of the season with a fractured fibula just above his left ankle while blocking for punt returner Trindon Holliday in the fourth quarter Sunday night when a Saints player inadvertently leg-whipped him.
Fox said it’s doubtful Mays was a candidate to be placed on the recallable injured reserve list “just because of what’s left in the season.”
“Things definitely aren’t going to be the same without having him out there, his presence, his leadership and his ability to go out there and make plays,” linebacker Wesley Woodyard said.
PAGANO VISITS COLTS
Colts coach Chuck Pagano made it back to the team complex for a short staff meeting Monday.
It’s the first time Pagano has been back since being diagnosed with a form of leukemia Sept. 26.
Interim coach and offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said he listened to the discussion after doctors cleared Pagano, whose white blood-cell count has increased while he has undergone treatment for the illness.
EXTRA POINTS
The NFL has moved its trade deadline to Thursday because of potential complications from Hurricane Sandy hitting New York. … The Colts waived running back Mewelde Moore and nose tackle Antonio Dixon. Indianapolis also promoted cornerback Marshay Green and fullback Robert Hughes from the practice squad to the active roster on Monday, and signed cornerback Teddy Williams to the practice squad. … Raiders cornerback Ron Bartell, who broke his shoulder blade in the opener, will practice for the first time Wednesday and could be activated from the short-term injured reserve list Nov. 11 against Baltimore.
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