As far back as the Denver Broncos' third preseason game in late August, we saw evidence that something was physically wrong with Peyton Manning.
Although news of Manning's plantar fascia tear didn't surface until his mid-November benching, his father said Thursday that the injury has been an issue since the summer time.
"He's really had this foot problem that's been going on for five or six months," Archie Manning told KMGH's Lionel Bienvenu on Thursday.
If Manning believes his disappointing season can be attributed to injury rather than diminished talent level, perhaps he will consider playing at age 40 next season.