Is Peyton Manning Washed Up?

I talk football with my colleague Professor Greg Joseph when we're out to lunch. I mentioned Peyton Manning yesterday. I was wondering if he's going to retire, and the news last night and today doesn't look good. See the Los Angeles Times, "Peyton Manning likely will never play football again, sources say":

Peyton Manning's football career is likely over, two sources close to the Indianapolis Colts quarterback with knowledge of his recovery from neck surgery told Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports.

Although the vertebrae in Manning's neck have healed as expected, which allowed him to start throwing again back in December, the same can't be said for the nerves in his arm, according to the sources. They say the velocity on his passes has not improved and possibly never will.

All of which, the sources say, indicates the four-time MVP will probably never play again.

Two league-affiliated doctors with experience in spinal fusion surgery told Cole that it would be too risky for Manning to play again and that it could take as long as a year for Manning to know whether a return is possible.

Manning could not be reached for a comment on the Yahoo! article, but he has indicated that he has every intention of resuming his NFL career.

More at the link.

And see "High stakes in Peyton Manning decision," and "Irsay: Peyton Manning situation 'a very complicated medical issue'."