Manning not expected to miss playing time

INDIANAPOLIS -- Coach Tony Dungy can breathe easier now that Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts offense appear to be fine.\nDungy said Monday that Manning's bruised left shoulder isn't serious enough to keep him out of games or practices and that the two-time MVP should be ready when the Colts open the regular season at Baltimore.\n"He has been examined, and he's fine," Dungy said.\nManning declined interview requests after Monday's brief practice but was expected to speak Tuesday.\nThe injury occurred when Denver cornerback Darrent Williams sprinted, unblocked, into the Colts backfield and sacked Manning in the third quarter Saturday. The Colts starters did not return after that series, and Manning later did a sideline interview, not mentioning being hurt.\nAfter the game, Manning was examined in the trainer's room, and team doctors told him that the X-ray was negative.\nIt was a relief to the Colts, who spent the previous three weeks answering questions about what was wrong with their high-scoring offense.\nManning provided some of the answers in a second quarter that was easily the Colts' best preseason performance.\nHe finished with 206 yards passing and two touchdowns in 2 1/2 quarters against the Broncos starters, numbers that could have been better if wide receiver Reggie Wayne's fumble hadn't rolled out of the end zone and resulted in a touchback for the Broncos.\nIt was likely the Colts final tuneup for Baltimore, since Dungy plans to play most of his starters sparingly Friday at Cincinnati. He didn't say whether Manning, who has never missed a regular season or playoff start in seven seasons, would play against the Bengals.\nBut the offense played well enough to alleviate some of Dungy's concerns.\n"A lot of the things we set out to do, we got done," he said. "I thought we moved the ball pretty well, and we could have had 24 points in the first half, so that's pretty good."\nStill, there are worries.\nColts center Jeff Saturday has not played in the preseason because of a hamstring injury, and the Colts are also trying to replace both starting guards from last season. Rick DeMulling signed as a free agent with the Detroit Lions. Indianapolis also released Tupe Peko, the other starter, in April. One potential starter, rookie Dylan Gandy, was slowed by a sprained foot and another, Ryan Lilja, moved from guard to center to replace Saturday.\nNow starting right tackle Ryan Diem is out with a sprained right foot. The good news is that Dungy believes Diem's absence will not be long.\n"It looks pretty good," Dungy said. "It looks like he'll be ready to go next week."\nThe results have been troublesome. Indianapolis has given up 20 sacks in four games -- six more than they allowed all of last season, has rushed for 2.3 yards per carry and until Saturday had a rash of penalties.\nIf Saturday's game proved anything, it was that the Colts were progressing.\nBut the Colts were more pleased with the fact that Manning was not seriously hurt.\n"He did fine, he took the normal amount of work he takes and he should not miss any time," Dungy said.