National Football League

Agent: Manning not done with football

Published Feb. 3, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

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The agent for Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning has become the latest to chime in on the uncertainty surrounding the four-time MVP's future.

Tom Condon said Friday his client is "not done" playing football, even if his time in Indianapolis comes to an end.

"There are some guys that when they leave their team, they're done," Condon told The Indianapolis Star. "Peyton's not done."

Manning, who missed the entire 2011 season after undergoing a spinal fusion surgery in his neck in September, has been medically cleared by two doctors to resume his NFL career, ESPN reported Thursday.

Dr. Robert Watkins, who performed Manning's most recent neck surgery -- his third in 19 months -- reportedly believes Manning's neck is stable enough to allow him to play immediately.

But Colts owner Jim Irsay, who faces the prospect of paying Manning a $28 million bonus if he is on the roster March 8, appeared to downplay Manning's reported medical clearance early Friday via Twitter.

"Peyton has not passed our (team) physical nor has he been cleared to play for The Indianapolis Colts," Irsay wrote.

But according to ESPN, Colts neurosurgeon Dr. Hank Feuer was the second doctor to clear the 35-year-old quarterback to play again in 2012.

The uncertainty surrounding Manning's health has led many to conclude the Colts will cut ties with him, and instead select former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the top pick in April's NFL Draft.

When asked about Manning's future in Indianapolis, Condon told The Star Irsay "has to do what's best for the football team."

A source told ESPN the situation "is not a safety issue," but a question of the 11-time Pro Bowler's performance level. The main question for Manning is the speed at which the nerves in his arm regenerate, allowing him to throw with the necessary velocity.

"He's enthusiastic," said Condon. "He loves to compete. He loves the game. He wants to play. Peyton wants to play and he's safe to play.

"Now it's a matter of him getting all of his strength back and he'll be back to being Peyton."

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