Colts' Manning back on active roster

INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning was returned to the active roster Tuesday about six weeks after undergoing knee surgery.

The Colts said Manning was expected to practice with the team this week but wouldn't play in the team's final exhibition Thursday against Cincinnati. Manning told the Indianapolis Star his goal was to be ready for the Sept. 7 regular-season opener against Chicago.

"I am looking forward to getting back out there," Manning said to the newspaper. "It's been a while. I've been doing some things on my own but it's not quite the same as if you're out there with the team and doing some of the different drills at practice."

Manning underwent surgery on his left knee July 14 to remove an infected bursa sac.

The eight-time Pro Bowl selection has never missed a start in his 10 NFL seasons. He's thrown for 41,626 yards and 306 touchdowns in his career.

Colts Coach Tony Dungy said doctors are still determining how severe a knee injury suffered Sunday by all-pro center Jeff Saturday is. Dungy told the Star that Saturday's injury could be "anywhere from a couple of weeks to a major injury."