Peyton Manning’s doctor gives QB clearance to play

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Peyton Manning is cleared to play football. Still not so clear is whether it will be with the Indianapolis Colts.

He got the good news Thursday while little brother Eli was making final preparations to lead the New York Giants against the New England Patriots in Sunday’s Super Bowl _ something big brother always aims for.

Maybe there’s even a Manning vs. Manning Super Bowl in the offing.

What remains unsettled, though, is Peyton’s status with the Colts and whether he and team owner Jim Irsay can patch up their very public spat.

At least it’s a possibility now that Manning’s surgeon has given the star quarterback clearance to start taking hits again.

“Peyton Manning underwent a thorough medical re-evaluation as part of a postoperative visit with his surgeon,” Dr. Robert Watkins said in a statement. “As a result of this examination, Manning is medically cleared to play professional football.”

Colts owner Jim Irsay responded to Watkins‘ statement by writing on Twitter that Manning has not been cleared to play by the team because he has not passed its physical. He said the club would issue a statement later Friday.

That’s just another piece of this muddled mess.

The Colts owe Manning a $28 million roster bonus by March 8, they want to use the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft on Manning’s successor and they must make key decisions over the next five weeks without knowing yet how much room they’ll have under the salary cap.

Manning, who turns 36 in March, had neck surgery in September _ his third in 19 months.

“We’re in a holding pattern in that respect,” new general manager Ryan Grigson said when asked if the uncertainty would prevent the Colts from doing business with their soon-to-be free agents. “Until it is (resolved), we’re going to go about our business as usual.”

Nobody seems to know how this will play out.

The biggest problem in Manning’s recovery has been regaining the strength in his throwing arm. That’s something Manning and the Colts have not discussed, and, apparently, it’s not even a topic between the two brothers.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen with Peyton,” Eli Manning said. “I know he is rehabbing. He is going to try to get better. I know he wants to continue to play football, if that’s an option. The No. 1 priority for him is to get to 100 percent. Until he gets to that position, it’s tough to say what is going to happen.”

The Manning circus has dominated the headlines at Indianapolis’ first Super Bowl.

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