Are the Indianapolis Colts doomed this season? According to reports, the team said Monday that doctors told quarterback Peyton Manning not to practice this week. With the Colts’ season opener set for Sunday vs. the Houston Texans, Manning’s streak of 208 straight regular-season starts seems in serious doubt.
The Colts haven’t played a game without Manning under center since he was the top pick in the 1998 draft.
While Indianapolis’ season seems bleak if Manning misses time, teams have recently found some success when having to play without their star quarterback.
With Ben Roethlisberger suspended for the first four games of last season, it appeared the Pittsburgh Steelers were going to get off to a slow start. But Pittsburgh won three of its first four games with Dennis Dixon and Charlie Batch starting at quarterback. Roethlisberger returned and led the Steelers to the Super Bowl last year.
In 2008, with the New England Patriots coming off their near-perfect season, Tom Brady suffered a serious knee injury in the first game that sidelined him for the rest of the year. The Patriots failed to make the playoffs but went 11-5 behind quarterback Matt Cassel, who wasn’t even a starter at USC.
Indianapolis brought veteran Kerry Collins out of retirement for insurance if Manning can’t play. Collins has led three different teams to the postseason.
Manning obviously gives the Colts the best chance to win, but that doesn’t mean they can’t win without him.
– Jeffrey Tomik
