Report: Manning had 4th neck surgery

INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning has undergone four neck surgeries, not three as previously thought, Sports Illustrated reported Wednesday.

Citing NFL sources it did not identify, the magazine said the iconic signal-caller has had a total of four procedures in the last two years and faces more injury trouble with the development of bone spurs above a surgical fusion point.

The previously unreported procedure was performed sometime between May and September of last year, in between a pair of known Manning neck surgeries, the SI reported.

The Colts believe it's nearly inevitable Manning will at some point require further surgery even if he does make a successful return in 2012, the sources said.

"I wouldn't have anything to say about all of that, one way or another," Manning's agent, Tom Condon, told the publication.

The report comes a day after Colts owner Jim Irsay said he would be willing to have the likely future Hall of Famer return to finish his career with Indianapolis after missing all of last season with the neck problems.

But Manning must be willing to renegotiate a $29 million bonus due under his current, the owner added.

If the Colts don't pick up the club option, the 35-year-old quarterback will become a free agent.