Should Peyton Manning Risk Coming Back This Season?

I started to ask would Peyton Manning play this year if given the chance but we already know the answer to that. His Indianapolis Colts are dead last in the league having yet to win a game. Manning has been tormented all year watching the losses pile up; watching his teammates mope around with their heads bowed down week after week in the locker room after each game.

He wants that to change. Not now but right now. If he could go out there this Sunday he would. Those are his men. He is their leader and he wouldn’t hesitate to put them on his shoulders and will them to a win, even if it’s just for one week.

So now that his doctors have informed him that his neck has fused properly, Manning now begins the arduous process of getting himself in game shape. Strengthening his arm and working on his accuracy. Building his body up to take the hits he will undoubtedly take behind this shaky offensive line.

And with five games left to play, he may be able to make enough progress to suit up for the last game or two. If his team is still winless at that point, you would almost have to handcuff Manning to the bench in order to keep him from playing.

But should he risk it? You and I would say no. No self-respecting Colts fan would want to risk Manning being reinjured in what is basically a lost season and I’m sure management wouldn’t even consider the notion but what about the man himself? Do you think he would play if given the chance? Do you believe he would risk his career and all the money he is owed in the coming seasons for a chance to send his team out on a positive note?

Only Manning can answer that question for sure. I personally think the competitor in Manning would not be able to resist the chance to pick apart an NFL defense and end the losing slide his team is currently on. Especially if his team is facing the dubious distinction of matching the 2008 Detroit Lions’ disgraceful 0-16 record.

Hopefully for the sake of Colts’ fans everywhere that won’t be Manning’s decision to make. Manning should sit out the rest of this season and hopefully he will be back to his old self by training camp next year. If he can put his neck pains behind him, then maybe he can go back to being a pain in the neck for defensive coordinators.

Roosevelt Hall is an NFL Blogger for In Between The Tackles and can be contacted at RHall_TPFB@Yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter @rhall_tpfb.