Indianapolis Colts vice chairman said Monday night that injured quarterback Peyton Manning remains on the 53-man roster because the team wants him to be able to practice later this year, but not to play in a game, via NFL.com.

The Colts offensive line has been hampered by a rash of injuries, and the team wouldn't want to risk Manning, who has had two neck procedures this year, behind an unsteady line in game situations.

Besides, the Colts are 0-8 and essentially out of the playoff chase, so that even further lessens the need for the team to hasten Manning's return to the lineup.

And then, though Polian didn't mention this, not playing Manning also greatly increases the Colts' chances of landing Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the first overall pick.

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Terry McCormick covers the Titans for TitanInsider.com