BY MARC STEIDLER

We’re just days from Super Bowl 46, but the buzz in Indy is about a guy who won’t even play Sunday. Doctors have cleared Colts’ quarterback Peyton Manning to play. Fort Wayne’s WANE has more.

“The Colts’ neurologist said, ‘if you were my son, I’d let you play.’”
“Oh, wow...pretty strong.”
“So apparently he’s good to go, medically cleared and now the Colts have a decision to make when that bonus is due in early March.”

That bonus? A whopper at $28 million. But even though doctors gave Manning the go-ahead, NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora says the concern for Colts’ ownership is performance, not just safety.

“The nerve has been the issue for months, not the neck. I’ve talked to people in the Colts’ organization who said, “We’re not going to respond to the report, because we don’t see any news in it.’”

However, the Colts did respond, via outspoken owner Jim Irsay’s Twitter.

“Peyton has not passed our physical nor has he been cleared to play for The Indianapolis Colts. Team statement coming on Friday.”

With Manning’s bonus looming, his health in doubt and his presumed successor Andrew Luck waiting in the wings after the NFL draft, Irsay has quite the decision to make. ESPN’s Merrill Hoge thinks it’s time for the Colts to turn the page.

“You have to look at it -- 13 years, a surgery like this -- it’s about winning. What can you do for me next? I believe Peyton Manning will be playing in the National Football League, but it will not be for the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts will start over.”

A writer for the Indianapolis Star also sees a split as the right thing to do, but doesn’t know how Colts’ fans will take it.

“The time is near, and there will be tears...Irsay and Manning seem to be ready. Central Indiana? That might be a different matter.”

As Colts fans wait, Yahoo! Sports’ Michael Silver thinks other fans in Indianapolis this weekend won’t be talking about one Manning -- Eli, who’s playing -- but two.

“Manning may well take his talents to another NFL city in the very near future. In the meantime, he’s the elephant in Lucas Oil Stadium, even if he’s not actually present.”

 

Transcript by Newsy.