Optimism Concerning Manning’s Status Increases After Two Practices

The collective shudder running through the state of Tennessee has quelled a bit now that state icon/Volunteer quarterback Peyton Manning practiced twice in Miami.

When Manning arrived in Miami Friday he was considered questionable and said there was a possibility he would not be able to play in the Orange Bowl against Nebraska because his right knee was not healing quickly.

But optimism increased after the weekend workouts.

“It was a little sore this morning,” Manning said Sunday before the second practice. “There’s some swelling and stiffness. We’re going to see how it responds. It felt a little better than I thought it would be yesterday. There’s fluid in it.”

Manning’s leg became infected after he suffered a ruptured bursa sac in his right knee, and he spent a week in the hospital.

“We’re not going to drain it,” he said of his swollen knee. “We tried to drain it and nothing would come out. So that decision was eliminated.”

Tennessee Coach Phillip Fulmer believes Manning will be able to play but will continue to evaluate his progress.

“We’re still cautious about some of the things we ask Peyton to do,” Fulmer said. “ . . . We’re not going to put Peyton at risk if he can’t protect himself. We would expect he’d play.”

Manning spoke about the possibility of sophomore Tee Martin playing quarterback in Friday’s game should his knee worsen. Martin, who has never started, took about 40% of the snaps at practice Sunday. “We’re going to find out, I guess,” Manning said. “He’s inexperienced, to say the least, but he’s done well in practice. I’ve only seen him live once [since the Southeastern Conference Championship], but I’ve seen all of the practice tapes though, and he’s done a really good job of keeping things in the flow.”

Said wide receiver Jeremaine Copeland: “They are basically giving [Martin] the same plays they are giving Peyton. Tee can pick up a lot of things. He’s not as effective as Peyton, but he’s a great quarterback. There isn’t a lot of change in our offense. We will still be running out routes.”

Incidentally, Martin, who has thrown only 12 passes this season in garbage time, was recruited by Nebraska.