Peyton Manning has 2nd neck surgery, to miss at least 2-3 months

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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning underwent cervical fusion surgery Thursday and is out for up to three months, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported.

Manning had been recovering from neck surgery in May. Sunday’s season opener against Houston will be the first time in his 227-game career that Manning won’t play.

Thursday’s operation carries a minimum recovery time of two to three months.

But his exact timetable for a return still isn’t known.

Colts owner Jim Irsay offered a bit of insight via Twitter on Thursday, posting, ‘NFL Season opens 2nite!We had a good practice yesterday and r guys r fired up 4 the season.#18’s out for awhile,but compete,we will/BELIEVE.’

Manning was activated from the physically unable to perform list last week and was expected to participate in limited, scripted portions of practice. But he was unable to work regularly.

Manning signed a five-year, $90-million contract on July 30. Without their mainstay under center, the Colts scrambled to find a veteran to challenge Curtis Painter for the starting spot. They signed retired quarterback Kerry Collins on Aug. 24. Collins started seven games for the Titans last season but retired in July.

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