Colts quarterback Peyton Manning will sit out the first regular-season game of his 13-year career this Sunday as he continues to recover from offseason neck surgery, team vice chairman Bill Polian told ESPN New York Wednesday. Veteran quarterback Kerry Collins likely will start in Manning’s place.

Manning’s streak of 227 consecutive starts, including the playoffs, will end on Sunday when Indianapolis takes on the AFC South-rival Texans. His 208 consecutive regular-season starts are the most among all active players, an honor that Tampa Bay cornerback Ronde Barber (179 straight starts) will take over when Manning doesn’t play on Sunday.

Manning had neck surgery on May 23 to repair a nerve, but his recovery has been slower than expected and Manning began training camp on the physically unable to perform list. He was activated on Aug. 29.

The quarterback begin having back pains that started last week when Manning was relegated to limited practice. He has not practiced at all this week. Over the course of this week, Manning’s back pain reportedly grew worse, while he also does not have adequate arm strength to play on Sunday.

It will be only the second time the four-time MVP will have missed a snap due to injury, as Manning missed a series of downs back in 2001 when he received a hairline fracture to the jaw in a game against Miami.

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