Is Peyton Manning’s career in jeopardy?

There will come a point in time when the Indianapolis Colts must make a decision as to Peyton Manning;  either keep the QB, pay him a lot of money and hope that he’s healthy, or drop the QB, and build for the future, preferably around Andrew Luck.

Talking to reporters this week, Manning may be making the decision easier on the Colts.  The QB, who underwent his third neck surgery this year,  said that he is still waiting for it to fully heal.

“We’re still waiting for the fusion to take place, it’s still going slow and we still have some issues with the regeneration of the nerve,” Manning said, according to the Associated Press.  “I still have some restrictions.”

Time is ticking for the Colts.

In March 2012, Manning is due a $28 million option bonus.  What happens if he can’t practice at that point?  What does the team do?

At 0-8, the Colts are the worst team in the NFL right now and in first place for Stanford QB Andrew Luck.

Do the Colts drop Manning, making him a free agent, and sign Luck?

Do the Colts stick with Manning and gamble that he can play?

Manning has no clue when he’ll play again.   “I just can’t give a prediction of where I’m going to be. I don’t think anybody really can because as I’ve said all along, this injury is one that is a little bit unpredictable. You think positively about things being good at that time, but I really can’t tell you where they will be at that time.”