Colts Owner: Peyton Won't Be Back This Season

Peyton Manning may recover from surgery quickly enough to practice with the Colts by December, but the team doesn’t expect him to actually take the field until next season, owner Jim Irsay told a breakfast for Super Bowl donors this morning, according to the Indy Star. But the AP reports that he seemingly backtracked moments later—perhaps in the interest of keeping fans' attention this season—tweeting: "I didn't say Peyton out 4season FOR SURE,keeping him on ActiveRoster n taking it month by month/Outside chance of return n December possible."

Manning has been out since a neck surgery on Sept. 8, his third procedure in the past two years. He was seen watching yesterday’s Colts-Steelers game alongside the coaches in the press box, as his team slid to an 0-3 start. (More Peyton Manning stories.)