Well, this sure explains a lot. And confirms a lot.

If all this is true, no wonder Jim Irsay said what he said the other day about restructuring Peyton Manning's contract based on the uncertainties of his physical condition. Which now seem more uncertain than everyone's letting on, although a lot of us have suspected as much all along.

Still, it's jarring. Four surgeries instead of the reported three? The possible development of bone spurs around the surgical area? A full-on workout at the tail end of the season in which Manning looked winded and was unable to get sufficient steam on throws from 25 yards in?

There's always been a kernel of doubt about how pointless all the where-will-Peyton-land speculation might be if he isn't physically able to continue playing. Now it looks more and more like that kernel of doubt was, to say the least, warranted.

Heaven forbid. Could Rob Lowe wind up being right after all?