Indy Fans Blue Over Peyton Manning's Injury

This morning's email inbox was flooded with messages from other concerned fans, each hoping to be the first to pass on the news: Manning is out for four to six weeks after knee surgery! Oh, the horror! 32-year-old Peyton Manning underwent a "routine procedure" to remove an infected bursa sac in his left knee Monday, according to reports coming from the Colts camp, and the fans are blue.

The season hasn't even started yet and already we're speculating what could happen in Peyton's absence. Granted, we have seen backup quarterback Jim Sorgi play well in the past, but with the Super Bowl coming to Indianapolis in 2012, we're in no mood to start off this season with a handicap. Sorry, no pun intended.

When the season opens against the Chicago Bears in the new state-of-the-art Lucas Oil Stadium on September 7th it is uncertain whether or not Peyton will be able to play. That is not good news to the fans of Indianapolis. Fans around here think of Peyton Manning as a member of the family. "Anything that hurts Peyton, hurts us all," explains fan Rebecca Armstrong.

With a roster of talent like Bob Sanders, Joseph Adai, Marlin Jackson, Reggie Wayne and so many others, there seems little reason to fear that Peyton's recovery time would cause any major issues for the club. According to a report in the Indianapolis Star, there is a possibility that the Colts will sign another talented quarterback to ease the pressure on Sorgi. John Ringis of Westfield, Indiana feels that "it's all a cover story...just like the Edgerrin and Marvin injuries. We better find a way to get Favre as Peyton will be out for the first part of the season if not longer.....we are screwed."

Fans are also wondering why Peyton waited until now to have the surgery. Nichole Mercer of Kissimmee, Florida and avid Colts fan laments the timing, but jokingly adds, "Maybe there is a Tiger Woods - Peyton Manning knee injury conspiracy..."