INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts’ position on Peyton Manning hasn’t changed. He’s still on the active roster, still going through rehabilitation and may yet return later this season.
Colts owner Jim Irsay used Twitter on Monday to clarify comments he reportedly made during a private breakfast with Super Bowl donors in Indianapolis, comments that seemed to indicate Indy’s franchise quarterback would miss the rest of the season.
Manning was expected to miss at least two months after having neck surgery Sept. 8 and possibly more, which could cost the four-time league MVP the entire season.
The Colts brought Kerry Collins out of retirement to replace Manning in the starting lineup, but he has struggled and left Sunday night’s game against Pittsburgh to be evaluated for a possible concussion.
Curtis Painter took over in the fourth quarter and led the Colts 80 yards for a touchdown. He finished 5 of 11 for 60 yards with a 62.7 rating.
Vick’s hand bruised, not broken
PHILADELPHIA — Michael Vick’s injured right hand is bruised, not broken as originally thought.
Eagles coach Andy Reid said a CT scan Monday showed the star quarterback bruised his hand in Philadelphia’s 29-16 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday. Reid said X-rays taken during the game showed Vick may have a fracture.
It’s uncertain if Vick, who throws left-handed, will play when the Eagles host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
Titans lose Britt for season
NASHVILLE, TENN. — Tennessee receiver Kenny Britt has a torn ACL in his right knee and will need season-ending surgery.
The news couldn’t come at a worse time for the Titans (2-1) who are tied with Houston atop the AFC South. The injury leaves Tennessee with four receivers, and team officials already are looking for someone to fill the spot on the roster.
Britt was off to the best start of his career with his 289 yards receiving ranked fifth in the NFL. Tennessee is averaging 310.7 yards passing per game, seventh-best in the league, with Hasselbeck off to the best start of his career in his 13th season. He has thrown for 932 yards, and only Warren Moon has started with more yards passing with this franchise.
Brady’s 3-week spree a record
NEW YORK — Tom Brady has the most yards passing for any three-week span in NFL history.
The New England quarterback has thrown for 1,327 yards, surpassing the 1,257 Drew Brees compiled in 2006. Brady also beat Kurt Warner’s 1,221 yards in 2000 that were the most for the first three weeks of a season.
Brady has thrown for 517, 423 and 387 yards as the Patriots have gone 2-1. He also has 11 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Steelers survive gaffes, Colts
INDIANAPOLIS — Ben Roethlisberger drove the Pittsburgh Steelers 60 yards to set up Shaun Suisham’s 38-yard field goal with 4 seconds left that sealed a 23-20 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night.
Roethlisberger (25 of 37, 364 yards, TD) lost two fumbles and threw an interception during an 11-minute first-half stretch. Defensive end Jamaal Anderson returned a Roethlisberger fumble 47 yards for one of the Colts’ touchdowns.
Around the league
* BUCCANEERS: Tampa Bay safety Cody Grimm has an injured right knee and likely will be replaced in the lineup by Corey Lynch. Coach Raheem Morris said Monday that the team was awaiting results of tests and would not speculate on how long the second-year pro will be sidelined.
* 49ERS: San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh expects running back Frank Gore to play this week at Philadelphia despite a sprained right ankle that limited him in Sunday’s 13-8 win at Cincinnati.
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