National Football League

Are Peyton Manning's playing days over?

Published Jan. 30, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Four-time NFL MVP Peyton Manning has hit a plateau in his rehabilitation from neck surgery, and the slow rate at which the nerves in his arm are healing indicate he will not play again, Yahoo! Sports reported Monday, citing two sources.

Manning's future with the Indianapolis Colts has dominated headlines in recent weeks, with team owner Jim Irsay facing a decision on whether to pay $28 million to retain the star quarterback.

The 35-year-old began throwing in December after the fused vertebrae in his neck healed as expected, but he has not shown any improvement in the velocity of his passes.

The two sources feared Manning would never show improvement again.

Further, two league-affiliated doctors told the website that it could take a year before Manning knows if he will be able to return and said they would recommend Irsay let go of him.

With Manning sidelined for the entire 2011 season, the Colts finished 2-14 and will select first in April's draft. Most expect the team to select Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with that top pick.

The team will owe Manning a $28 million roster bonus if he is still with the team March 8, leading many league observers to conclude the Colts cannot afford both quarterbacks.

Earlier Monday, Irsay told reporters that he wanted to shift the focus away from Manning this week in the lead up to Super Bowl XLVI between the Giants and Patriots in Indianapolis on Sunday.