Peyton Manning Possibly Out For Season Opener

Peyton Manning hasn't missed one single start in any of his 13 seasons in the NFL.  His streak of 208 consecutive starts could possibly come to an end this year.

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay believes that his team needs to be prepared to start the 2011 NFL season without the services of Peyton Manning.  On Saturday, Irsay posted on Twitter, "We r evaluating the QB sitch,#18 healing but we got 2 b prepared 4 early season possibility without him,defense has 2 pick it up,big time!"

The QB "sitch" for the Colts sounded like it wouldn't be in the bleak position it is right now back in May.  That's when Manning had surgery to repair a nerve in his neck.  It was believed to be a "minor" surgery.  I'm sorry, but "minor neck surgery" doesn't quite roll off of the tongue without sounding like an oxymoron.

The Colts have Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky on the current depth chart backing up Peyton Manning.  There is speculation that the Colts may reach out to recently retired quarterback Kerry Collins.  Peyton Manning's streak of consecutive starts is currently at 208 games.  Brett Favre's record for consecutive starts by a quarterback is 297 straight games.  Peyton's streak will end in Texas this year when the Colts begin the 2011 NFL season against the Houston Texans if Manning isn't ready to go.