Peyton Manning ‘Doubtful’ For Season Opener Against Texans

Things are not looking good for Indianapolis in the season opener this weekend. Quarterback Peyton Manning is listed as 'doubtful' for the first game versus the Houston Texans in Houston. If he misses this start, it will be the first time in his career. It's just about unthinkable.

Manning has been recovering from surgery to his neck in the offseason. The surgery is causing lingering back pain, despite physical therapy and conditioning. This would mark an end to 227 straight starts for the Colts' quarterback over 13 seasons in Indy.

I wouldn't count him out just yet, but according to all sources, he's not going to be ready. He did work out with the team last week but was very limited in practice. The bigger question mark is whether the Colts can win without him, on the road in their season opener. If you look at the stats without Manning in the lineup, they don't look good at all. (via msn.FoxSports.com)