Report: Manning may be forced to retire

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning could be forced to retire, sources have told Yahoo! Sports.

Manning sat out the entire 2011 season to recover from neck surgery. Although Manning has been rehabbing and was cleared to begin to throw a football again in December, the sources (who have knowledge of Manning’s rehabilitation from his surgery) indicated the nerves in his arm aren’t healing as well as his neck. This could mean Manning could have trouble rediscovering his velocity and may never be able to throw like he once could.

Two National Football League-affiliated doctors with experience in spinal fusion surgery informed Yahoo! Sports that Manning returning would be risky.

The fact the Colts hold the first-overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft -- where it is almost a certainty the team will select Stanford quartebrack prospect Andrew Luck -- has many speculating that fans have in fact seen the last of Manning. As well, the Colts must act fast as Manning is a due a $28 million option in March.

If Manning is forced to retire, he will go down as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. In 208 regular season games, Manning threw for 54,828 yards (3rd all-time) and 399 TDs (also 3rd all-time). The New Orleans native has been named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player on four separate occasions and won his first and only Super Bowl during the 2006-07 season.

Manning’s younger brother Eli is the quarterback of the New York Giants and is attempting to win his second Vince Lombardi Trophy as the Giants play the New England Patriots in Indianapolis at Super Bowl 46 Sunday.

Manning, who is known as one of the fiercest competitors in the National Football League, has stated on several occasions his desire to return to the field when he is healthy.