NFL | Peyton Manning has Tony Dungy sounding optimistic

INDIANAPOLIS — Tony Dungy said he is certain quarterback Peyton Manning's left knee will be ready for the Indianapolis Colts' regular-season opener.

In fact, the coach of the Colts said he thinks Manning might be able to play during the exhibition season.

On Tuesday, Dungy said he was optimistic the Colts' biggest question heading into training camp — Manning's valuable knee — could be resolved sooner than most people expect. Manning had surgery last week to remove an infected bursa sac, a procedure doctors said would require from four to six weeks to heal.

Typically, Dungy defers to the medical experts on injury matters, but the Colts' Super Bowl-winning coach knows Manning well enough to realize keeping the quarterback off the field for six weeks might be tougher than the rehab process.

"I have talked to Peyton and we're just following the doctors' instructions right now," Dungy said. "I'm hoping for four weeks, but if he's truly out six weeks, I think it will be hard to keep him out. However it goes, he'll be ready when he comes back."

Manning has not spoken publicly since having surgery July 15 and is expected to take questions Thursday when the Colts report to camp in Terre Haute, Ind.

Manning, 32, has earned a reputation as one of the league's best and most durable quarterbacks. He has started all 160 regular-season games in his 10-year career. Manning has never missed a playoff start, either, compiling a postseason record of 7-7, and has missed one play in his pro career because of injury.

Manning won't be the Colts' only prominent player missing from Friday's first practice.

Dungy expects four other starters to join Manning on the physically unable to perform list — safety Bob Sanders, last year's league defensive player of the year; defensive end Dwight Freeney, the 2004 league sacks champion; guard Ryan Lilja and linebacker Tyjuan Hagler. All are expected to be ready for the opener against Chicago on Sept. 7.

Standout receiver Marvin Harrison is likely to be ready for camp. Harrison missed most of last season with a left-knee injury, had surgery on his right knee in January and had been expected to open camp on the PUP list.

Chargers' Castillo gets extension

SAN DIEGO — Defensive end Luis Castillo of the San Diego Chargers came up with a huge sack — a huge sack of money.

Castillo agreed to a five-year contract extension through 2014 valued at about $43 million. The deal will pay Castillo a guaranteed $17.5 million in signing and roster bonuses.

"You know, I am not usually short of words but today is different," said Castillo, 24.

Notes

• According to the NFL Network, Green Bay Packers officials phoned several teams to ask what they would offer in exchange for quarterback Brett Favre, 38. Favre, a three-time league most valuable player who announced his retirement in March, has said he wants to play again.

According to ESPN.com, Packers general manager Ted Thompson told league commissioner Roger Goodell the team wants to "move on" without Favre. Goodell reportedly encouraged Thompson to determine whether the Packers can find a trade partner.

• St. Louis' Orlando Pace, 32, a seven-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle, is close to returning from a shoulder injury, but will begin training camp on the PUP list.

Rams coach Scott Linehan said the team would be conservative with Pace, who tore the labrum and rotator cuff in his right shoulder in the second quarter of the 2007 opener against Carolina. Pace missed the rest of the season.

• Coach Marvin Lewis emphatically closed the door on the possibility of receiver Chris Henry rejoining the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Bengals released Henry, 25, in April after he was arrested for the fifth time, and the league suspended him indefinitely. His court case ended in a mistrial and prosecutors dropped the charges, prompting Henry to seek reinstatement and a chance to play in the NFL again.

"I'm not interested," Lewis told media. "I don't think it would be productive for our football team."

• Oakland agreed to terms on a one-year deal with safety Greg Wesley, 30, formerly with Kansas City.

• Offensive lineman Nick Kaczur, 28, of the New England Patriots pleaded guilty in Whitestown, N.Y., to speeding in a deal with prosecutors that will put a misdemeanor drug-possession charge on hold. Kaczur must pay $355 in fines and fees.

• Garrett Reid, 25, the son of Philadelphia coach Andy Reid, was sentenced to two years in a drug-rehabilitation program. Garrett Reid pleaded guilty in May to trying to smuggle dozens of pills into the Montgomery County Jail, where he was serving time for a heroin-fueled car crash that injured a motorist.