Indianapolis Colts Add Veteran QB Kerry Collins

The Indianapolis Colts were able to coax one veteran quarterback out of retirement Wednesday afternoon, but it’s not the one you would think.

The team announced they’ve agreed to terms with former Titans starter Kerry Collins to back-up Pro-Bowler Peyton Manning, in a move that’s just another indication that Manning’s streak of 227 consecutive starts, including playoff games, is in series jeopardy.

The addition of Collins provides the Colts with much needed depth as third-year veteran Curtis Painter, longtime backup Dan Orlovsky and undrafted rookie Mike Hartline were the only other quarterbacks listed on the roster, aside from Manning.

Painter has started both preseason games this year, completing 8-of-16 passes for 95 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. In Friday night’s 16-3 loss to Washington, Painter managed only one first down and couldn’t get the offense past its 29 despite playing the entire first half. He hasn’t played in a regular season game since 2009, while Orlovsky has played in just 13 games in six NFL seasons.

Collins has a career 55.8 completion percentage and has thrown for 40,441 yards, 206 touchdowns and 195 interceptions. As the starter, he’s led his team to the playoffs four times, including a Super Bowl appearance with the Giants in the 2000 season.

The only other time Manning’s starting streak was in jeopardy was 2008 when he missed all of training camp and all the preseason after undergoing surgery twice to remove an infected bursa sac from his left knee. He struggled early that season before going on to win his third MVP award.