Reports have been circulating throughout the league in recent days that
Indianapolis Colts quarterback
Peyton Manning's rehab back from neck surgery has been progressing in a positive direction, and four sources with knowledge of Manning's rehab told NFL Network's Albert Breer that Manning
steadily has regained strength in his grip and triceps.
One source told Breer that Manning is throwing the ball “really well,” while another said the quarterback “feels good” about where he is in the process.
Now there's reportedly visual proof to confirm Manning's returning arm strength, as a 27-second video of Manning going through
an aggressive throwing session in his Colts helmet, shoulder pads and jersey at Duke University appeared on YouTube late Friday.
A source confirmed to Breer on Saturday that the player in the video was Manning.
In the video, which appears to have been taken from behind a goal post in an end zone, Manning can be seen throwing deep balls and "out" routes to either side of the field.
Manning was accompanied by receivers
Brandon Stokley,
Austin Collie and tight end
Dallas Clark at this week’s workouts, conducted under the supervision of Duke head coach David Cutcliffe (Manning's offensive coordinator at the University of Tennessee). Manning had been working out in South Florida, before this most recent set of sessions.
The Duke athletic department confirmed to NFL Network that Manning will be at Saturday night's men's college basketball game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and Duke Blue Devils at Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium. Manning will be accompanied by Stokley, Collie and Clark, according to Breer. Colts center
Jeff Saturday is also in Durham for the game, but the former Tar Heel will be sitting behind the Carolina bench.
Manning is due a $28 million option bonus on March 8, and speculation has persisted that the Colts will release Manning before that date.
