Still Immobilized, Manning In Terre Haute
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Peyton Manning is in Terre Haute.
But aside from a change in locale, Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy said not much has changed for the eight-time Pro Bowl quarterback.
Manning, an 11-year veteran who hasn't missed a regular-season start in 10 NFL seasons, underwent routine surgery to remove a bursa sac from his left knee a week and a half before the Colts reed to 2008 Training Camp at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute this past Thursday.
He did not report to camp Thursday, but Dungy said Tuesday he had arrived in Terre Haute.
"That's kind of the, 'Where's Waldo?' question," Dungy said Monday between a pair of practices at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. "Peyton's doing fine.
"He's here. He's immobilized. We don't want a lot of people trying to see him. That's why we're not saying exactly here he is, but he's here in town. . . .
"He's following the doctor's orders, which is what we can ask for. So far, he's progressing and doing well."
Dungy said there is no particular timetable on Manning's return, and said the team is monitoring rookie tight end Tom Santi – who had a bursa sac removed shortly before Manning – to get something of a gauge on Manning's progress.
"We were just told 4-6 weeks," Dungy said. "We're watching Tom Santi's progress. He's a little ahead of him (Manning). Our big thing is we're not going to rush him out here to try to get him back for Week Three or Week Four of the preseason.
"When he's ready to go, he'll be out and hopefully, he does get some preseason time, but we're looking at the long haul."
In other Colts news Tuesday, Dungy said wide receiver Marvin Harrison likely will play in the preseason opener this weekend while the six players on the Physically Unable to Perform list likely will not.
Harrison, who missed 11 regular-season games last season as well as the team's mini-camp this offseason with a knee injury, has participated full speed in practice since the beginning of camp.
Dungy said he likely will play in the Hall of Fame Game against the Washington Redskins in Canton, Ohio Sunday night.
"Marvin is full go, as is everybody's who's practicing," Dungy said.
Manning, safety Bob Sanders, defensive end Dwight Freeney, offensive guard Ryan Lilja, Santi and linebacker Tyjuan Hagler likely will not play or travel, Dungy said, although he said Freeney and Sanders are progressing.
Freeney missed the last seven games last season with a foot injury and Sanders underwent off-season shoulder injury. Each has said he hopes to return to practice before camp breaks in mid-August.
"Dwight is lobbying to be on that full-go unit," Dungy said. "I watched him run the bags today (Tuesday) and he did very well. Bob Sanders did well, so it's a matter of time for those guys.
"Right now, we're thinking the six PUP guys are going to be the guys that are going to be out."
