At a prime age of 38, most football players would be lucky if they are still playing competitively. For any sport, competing at a prime age is a rarity and players who do are special.

Peyton Manning is no exception. He is a five-time most valuable player and the oldest player to win the Superbowl. That doesn't include other career milestones for Manning but at some point he may have to stop. And after the Broncos bowed to the Colts, 24-13, Manning was a picture of struggles as he played with a strained right quadriceps muscle.

Apparently that injury hindered Manning from properly executing the Broncos' plays and many are left guessing on his next move. Will he retire or play on?

Whatever Manning decides may be known in the next two months. And by March 24, Manning will be a year older (39). As he continues to age, injuries are expected to compound. Not only that, the healing period is expected to take longer as his body continues to take on the tolls of playing the rugged game of football.

Prior to his current injury, Manning has had four neck surgical procedures and yet continues to be on the field. With the warrior that he is, many feel that there is no shame in seeing perhaps the greatest quarterback of the game to say goodbye.

However, that would all depend on Manning. Only he can answer the question of whether he will be back for another run or say goodbye to the game he obviously loves. For now, the state of that issue remains the same since Manning is non-committal about his plans for the next season.

Manning seemed to be set for another year of football but that was all way before the debacle that the Broncos suffered at the hands of the Indianapolis Colts. Could it be time to pass the torch to Tom Brady? Only Manning knows.