Manning had fourth neck surgery, pushed to play
Peyton Manning has gone to great lengths, moreso than previously made public, to return to the NFL, including a unreported fourth neck surgery, according to SI.com, which cites "NFL sources."
In addition, the Indianapolis Colts quarterback strenuously tried to show team officials and coaches that he could play in the final two weeks of the regular season in red-zone situations to mitigate his limited arm strength, the NFL sources told SI.com.
But as a precursor to that, Manning had a neck surgery between a May 23 procedure to correct a bulging disk and a Sept. 9 neck fusion surgery, which was reported to be his third neck surgery in 19 months but was actually his fourth. SI.com's sources also claimed he has developed bone spurs in the neck, which could necessitate subsequent operations, perhaps another fusion, down the road.
Manning then worked on rehabilitating from the surgeries with the hope of playing last season. He took part in an organized and fully-scripted 30-play practice in the week leading up to the Colts' games against the Tennessee Titans in Week 15. Participants in the practice included RB Joseph Addai, C Jeff Saturday and reserve or practice-squad receivers, and it was attended by team President Bill Polian, coach Jim Caldwell and then-OC Clyde Christensen.
Manning hoped the workout, which was at faster pace than a typical walk-through, would be enough to show he could play a limited role in a Week 16 game vs. the Houston Texans. But team physician Hank Feuer would not clear Manning for action, as the quarterback's neck muscles were still atrophied and he lacked full range of motion.
Manning, 35, is still rehabbing and working out in hopes of returning next season. His future with the Colts is unclear, along with whether the team will pay his $28 million option bonus due March 8 or cut him. Team owner Jim Irsay said Tuesday he plans to meet with Manning in the next week.
This article was written by Peter Barzalai and appeared in USA Today. 
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