13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |Manning denies wearing brace on knee

Manning denies wearing brace on knee

Indianapolis - An appearance at a charity event may spark more questions about Peyton Manning's injury.

Manning has kept a low profile since undergoing surgery on his left knee five weeks ago. Monday night, he appeared at his annual charity event at Woodland Bowl wearing what appeared to be a brace on his right knee.

However, on Tuesday, Manning denied that he had been wearing a brace while talking with reporters about his rehabilitation process.

"I did put the rehab ahead of everything. I feel mentally I've been able to stay into it. The coach's orders allowed me to put my rehab first and foremost and try to do whatever I can to get healthy and get back out there," he said.

Regarding his absence from the public eye recently, Manning said he hasn't had a lot to say because he's been concentrating on getting better.

"I'm talking with you - this is taking away from my rehab right now," Manning joked with reporters Tuesday. "This is just to kind of stop some of the whining going on. I just didn't want to get into these daily progress reports. I've done nothing but rehab. Looks like we're already in the rumor mill."

No knee brace

Manning said the cell phone picture of him at a Monday charity event where WTHR initially reported as him wearing a brace was "just not true. I don't wear a knee brace."

Manning said he hadn't worn a knee brace during his rehab. "Especially anybody that knows me, I wear tight jeans. There's no way a knee brace could fit under my blue jeans anyway. If we're to the point of the cell phone camera putting out on the news, that's a little disappointing but I guess I'll squash it right now. I just don't wear a knee brace."

Monday event

The event was not open to the media, but a picture e-mailed to Eyewitness News by a viewer appeared to show something on his right leg. Those at the event say that while the star quarterback was not using crutches, he was taking it easy with the knee.

The last time we saw Manning in public was July 11 at his football camp in Louisiana. He isn't expected back at Colts practice until next week and the team initially said he would be out 4-6 weeks.

Head Coach Tony Dungy says everything is fine with his star.

"He's doing fine, hasn't had any setbacks and is doing well," Dungy said, hoping for Manning to return next week. "That would be my hope, but we'll see what happens."