Peyton Manning Has Knee Surgery; Will Be Out 4-6 Weeks

This should throw quite a scare in Colts fans: Peyton Manning just had surgery on his left knee to remove an infected bursa sac.

It doesn't seem like a huge deal, but the timing of this isn't good.

Colts president Bill Polian announced the procedure, described as routine, on Monday night. Polian said the team's medical staff expects Manning to have "a full and complete return to action" in four to six weeks. Colts training camp begins July 25.

"Peyton had been receiving conservative treatment for an inflamed bursa sac in consultation with the club's medical staff since February 2008. This course of treatment was productive until Peyton experienced increased pain and early signs of infection," Polian said. "Peyton will meet with the press as normally scheduled at the opening of training camp."

That time-line suggests Manning can start practicing as early as mid-August or as late as Indianapolis' final preseason game against the Bengals on August 28th. Normally, Manning wouldn't get too much work during the preseason games, but he does use the practices to get his timing down with the receivers.

Manning has started every game during his 10-year career ... so this is all new to he and the Colts. Well, sort of. Marvin Harrison had an inflamed bursa sac last season and he was ineffective during the second half of the season.