Published: August 19, 2008 11:59 pm         

Manning sighting: Colts star says rehab going well, wants to start vs. Bears

Indianapolis — More than a month after undergoing a July 14 surgical procedure to remove an infected bursa sac from his left knee, Peyton Manning returned to the public eye Tuesday.

But the Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback, who took the field with the rest of his teammates for a morning practice session at Lucas Oil Stadium, couldn’t give a definitive answer as to when he will be ready to take the field again.

For that matter, team owner Jim Irsay and head coach Tony Dungy aren’t all that sure either. One thing that they are all in agreement with, though, is that Manning — who watched Tuesday’s workout from the sidelines — won’t practice or play until he is 100 percent comfortable with how his knee feels. That time schedule also includes the Colts’ Sept. 7 nationally televised season opener with the Chicago Bears.

“I’m doing OK. I’ve had a tough month. It’s really been a challenge for me. Certainly, something totally different than I’ve ever experienced. Constant rehab. Just countless hours. Multiple sessions with our physical therapist, Erin Barill is his name. He’s been great. He’s the guy that’s really responsible for getting [defensive end] Dwight Freeney back and [safety Bob] Sanders back,” Manning said during his first face-to-face meeting with the team’s media since early June.

“First time that I’ve really had to deal with him on this consistent basis. I’ve certainly had injuries before, but he and I have gotten pretty close. He’s been fantastic. He’s really pushed me. It’s just a constant, every-day process. Just kind of day-to-day goals, trying to accomplish something different each day. That’s kind of where we are at this point.”

The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player admits that the month-long rehabilitation period has not been without its low moments. Still, he hopes to be ready to play against the Bears. That continues to be his primary objective.

“Certainly, it has not been a pain-free process. I’d be lying if I said that,” Manning pointed out. “That is my goal, to be ready for that first game. But at this point, like I said, Erin and I are the ones sort of dealing with it every single day. The doctors come every four or five days and sort of look at it. But Erin and I are the ones kind of doing it every single day. He and I kind of have goals each day, as far as what we want to accomplish. Certainly, that is our goal. And it has been my goal all along. But we’ll have to hope that [his rehab] continues to progress up to that point.

“It’s been a challenge. But I feel so far Erin and I have faced up to it and realized this is what we need to get done today. I’ve been able to combine my film study in. Terre Haute was great because I was able to watch the films [of practice] in my room. I was able to go to some meetings, but I did put the rehab ahead of everything. I feel mentally I’ve been able to stay into it. But from coach’s orders, they’ve allowed me to put my rehab first and foremost and trying to just do whatever I can to get healthy and get back out there.”

One thing Manning can’t and won’t do right now is to give a guarantee to fans and media that he will be able to start against the Bears. Or when he will resume practicing with the team, for that matter.

“This has been a totally new process for me. I have learned to put my full trust in Erin and, like I said, he and I have had some pretty heated discussions. And certainly it has not been the most enjoyable process that I’ve been through. But he’s been great. He’s challenged me and he’s really kept me on an even keel as far as trying to make constant progress. Certainly all along, that’s been our goal, to get back on the field in order to play in that first game,” he said.

“As to when I’m going to be back on the practice field, that is kind of yet to be determined. It just depends on kind of how everything goes from here on out. I need to have a good week this week. Obviously, the sooner the better for me. But I’m still sort of sticking to Erin’s advice and going on kind of how I feel. And that’s the best plan for us at this point.”

• • •

• What can he do? — While his left knee continues to heal and the physical therapy appears to be on course, Manning stressed that he has been able to stay busy in the weightroom.

“I can throw. I have been able to keep my [right] arm in shape. I can certainly lift weights with my upper body and my lower body, so I feel I’ve been able to stay with my strength level,” he said. “As far as when and how much time I need [to rehab], we’ll just have to kind of wait and see for that.”

• Disputing the news report — The Colts’ quarterback was not happy about a picture that aired on WTHR-TV’s (Channel 13) 11 p.m. news that purported to show him wearing a brace on his right knee.

Manning hosted his annual PeyBack Foundation annual charity bowling event Monday night, but for the first time did not allow local media to attend the fundraiser. A guest, however, reportedly took a picture with a cell-phone camera which showed him wearing what appeared to be a knee brace under his blue jeans.

“I haven’t had a whole lot to say. This [press conference] is taking away from my rehab right now. This is just to kind of maybe stop some of the whining going on. I just didn’t want to get into these daily progress reports. I’ve done nothing but rehab,” Manning said, partially explaining his extended absence during training camp at Rose-Hulman.

“But it looks like we’re already in the rumor mill. I guess [Colts media relations director] Craig [Kelley] showed me some story that [WTHR] put out, via cell-phone camera, which is not true. I don’t wear a knee brace. I wore this [an athletic sleeve on his left knee] just kind of for the first time. I really don’t wear anything on my knee. I haven’t worn a knee brace at all during my rehab process. And especially, anybody that knows me, I wear tight jeans. There’s no way a knee brace could fit under my blue jeans anyway. If we’re to the point of the cell-phone camera and putting that on the news, that’s a little disappointing. I guess I’ll squash it right now. It’s just not true. I just don’t wear a knee brace. Hopefully that will put an end to that.”

• Freeney, Sanders back — Defensive end Dwight Freeney and strong safety Bob Sanders returned to full practice.

Freeney and Sanders, who have been on the Colts’ physically unable to perform list since the start of training camp, both reported no ill effects from the workout and both would like to see some playing time Sunday night against Buffalo. That decision, though, will be up to Dungy and the team’s athletic training personnel.

Sitting out Tuesday were defensive end Robert Mathis [left ankle], rookie defensive ends Marcus Howard [calf] and Curtis Johnson [shoulder], rookie defensive tackle Eric Foster [calf], and wide receiver Roy Hall [hamstring].

• Roster move — The Colts brought back defensive tackle Dan Davis on Tuesday and waived second-year cornerback Antonio Smith. Davis, who played collegiately at the University of Connecticut, was with Indianapolis during organized team activities this past spring.

Smith had been signed as an undrafted free agent in 2007 but spent his rookie year on the injured reserve list. He could return to the roster in a few days depending on the Colts’ injury situation.