Report: Colts' owner Jim Irsay open to Peyton Manning remaining with team

Indianapolis Colts' owner Jim Irsay said Tuesday that he would be "excited" if quarterback Peyton Manning were to remain with the team, though he does have some lingering concerns.

“I want him to be able to make the choice," Irsay told the Indianapolis Star.  "We would love to have him back here if he can get healthy and we can look at doing a contract that reflects the uncertainty of the . . . healing process with the regeneration of the nerve.’’

Manning missed all of 2011 with a neck injury.

Irsay also told the paper that he expects to meet with Manning within the next week, and that he is certainly interested in retaining the legendary quarterback that his spent his entire career in Indianapolis.

“We can make it work if he wants to be here,’’ Irsay said, according to the report. “We’d be excited to have him back and finish his career with us.