Manning uncertain he’ll play in opener

He attended a Colts practice for the first time Tuesday, but did very little.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Peyton Manning proved Tuesday he can stand, walk and talk.

Next question: Will the two-time league MVP start in the Colts’ season opener?

Manning made it to his first practice of the season, then ended his self-imposed silence by saying he wanted to play in Indianapolis’ first regular season game Sept. 7 against Chicago — although he couldn’t provide a guarantee.

“I’ve not really had a whole lot to say to tell you the truth,” he said. “As to when I’ll be back on the practice field, that’s still to be determined. Obviously, the sooner, the better for me. My goal is to be back for the first game.”

Indy’s franchise quarterback had been kept out of public view since having surgery to remove an infected bursa sac from his left knee July 14. Team officials said he was staying away to reduce the risk of another infection.

Things began changing Monday night when the former Super Bowl MVP arrived at the PeyBack Foundation’s charity bowling event, which was closed to the media.

Over the past couple of weeks, local radio talk shows have been filled with questions about whether Manning’s knee was worse than originally diagnosed and whether he might miss the season opener — or additional games — and a local television station showed an apparent photo of Manning at the bowling tournament Monday with a brace over his right knee.

By Tuesday morning, Manning was back at practice in his familiar No. 18 jersey, minus a helmet or pads, and wearing a wrap around his left knee. He threw a few passes but spent most of the time chatting with team owner Jim Irsay and coach Tony Dungy at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Afterward, Manning took questions for the first time since a conference call July 24, the date his teammates reported to training camp, and he wasted no time in dismissing the growing speculation.

“This, maybe, will stop some of the whining going on,” he said. “I just didn’t want to get into these daily progress reports. I’ve done nothing but rehab, I guess we’re sort of in the rumor mill now. I don’t wear a knee brace, I wore this [wrap] today, really for the first time.

“If we’re to the point of someone putting a cell phone picture on the news, that’s a little disappointing. So I guess, I’ll squash that right now, it’s not true. I don’t wear a knee brace.”