Colts’ Austin Collie out for the season

Peyton Manning has lost another of his top targets for the season.

Indianapolis Colts receiver Austin Collie suffered a concussion Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the team put him on injured reserve Wednesday.

Though Collie is in his second year, Manning feels like he’s losing a veteran. Despite sitting out five games and more than a half in three others, Collie leads all Colts receivers with eight touchdown catches, is second in receptions (58) and third in yards (649).

“He’s fast, he’s got a good feel for zones, he understands defenses,” Manning said. “He has his physical talents, but also, his experience has helped him play at such a high level at such a young point in his career.”

Collie was injured late in the first half against Jacksonville when linebacker Daryl Smith appeared to hit him in the head with his forearm as Collie went low to make a catch. It was his second concussion of the season.

“He certainly is a guy that’s going to be missed,” Colts Coach Jim Caldwell said. “From a medical standpoint, we are concerned more so about his health than anything else. This is the right thing for him at this particular time.”

Manning had already lost tight end Dallas Clark and receiver Anthony Gonzalez for the season, and running back Joseph Addai has missed the last eight games with a shoulder injury. But the Colts (8-6) are fighting for a playoff spot, and don’t have time to feel sorry for themselves heading into Sunday’s game at Oakland (7-7).

“It doesn’t do you any good to think about who’s not playing and who’s not going to be available,” Manning said. “You have to go with who’s available, and feel like with who’s available, you can go out there and still make things happen.”

Tebow will start for rest of season

Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton said he was informed by the Denver Broncos that rookie Tim Tebow will start not only Sunday against Houston, but in the season finale the following week when San Diego visits Invesco Field.

Even with his bruised ribs almost healed, Orton, who was in the midst of his most prolific passing season, will watch Tebow just like everyone else.

Orton was unhappy over the decision that leaves his future with the organization hazy, especially with a new front office probably coming in after a dismal season that cost Josh McDaniels his job as coach.

“I said I’d like to finish the season. That wasn’t the option that was presented,” said Orton, who signed an extension through 2011 last summer. “I don’t know if I’ll be here next year. We’ll just have to wait and see what shakes out with the organization.”

For now, the Broncos (3-11) are casting their fortunes with Tebow.

The first-round pick out of Florida was solid in his first start last weekend in Oakland, even if the playbook was scaled back for him.

Tebow threw for a pedestrian 138 yards, most of his throws of the safe variety to the outside.

But he did make plays happen with his legs, including a 40-yard touchdown scamper on a missed assignment that was intended to be a draw to Correll Buckhalter. Tebow finished with 78 yards rushing, the second-highest single game total ever by a Broncos quarterback.

Ravens’ Kindle might miss next season too

Ravens rookie linebacker Sergio Kindle might be forced to miss a second straight season in 2011 because of the uncertain status of his fractured skull.

Baltimore’s top draft pick this year has yet to play in the NFL. He sat out this season after falling down two flights of stairs in late July at a friend’s house in Austin, Texas.

The former University of Texas star met with doctors at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore and wasn’t given good news about his neurological condition.

“It’s up in the air from what they tell me,” said Kindle, who is currently on the reserve non-football injury list. “Basically, they’re just saying they don’t know. They haven’t dealt with an injury like mine before. They can’t really give me a yes or a no with confidence. It’s kind of in the middle. It’s a hit or a miss. The whole point of it is, they don’t know if I’ll be able to take a hit just because I’m not doing anything involving contact right now.”

Kindle said he doesn’t have any headaches or other symptoms from his head injury.

“Everything has gotten better and that’s why what he was telling me is so disappointing, because as well as I’m doing they don’t have a definite answer for it,” he said.

Signed to a one-year, $320,000 contract with no signing bonus or incentives, Baltimore’s second-round pick is scheduled to be an exclusive-rights free agent next year. The Ravens can hold onto his rights if they want to tender him.

Brady leads fan voting for Pro Bowl

Tom Brady has overtaken Michael Vick to lead all players in the final fan voting for the Pro Bowl.

The New England Patriots quarterback had nearly 1.9 million votes when balloting ended Monday. The NFL said Wednesday that Vick topped the NFC with more than 1.5 million.

Almost 100 million votes were cast online and via mobile phones.

Fans account for one-third of the selection process. Players and coaches vote Wednesday and Thursday.

The 43-man rosters will be announced Tuesday. The game is Jan. 30 in Honolulu.

Ochocinco is unhappy

The Bengals’ self-described dynamic duo is down to one, and even that might be pushing it.

A bad left ankle is limiting receiver Chad Ochocinco, who didn’t practice and expects to have a reduced role in the last two games. He’s not happy that Coach Marvin Lewis says he’s being “mopey” about the whole thing.

Lewis used the term in a conference call with reporters. When Ochocinco heard about it, he fired back on Twitter, saying he deserves more respect.

Terrell Owens, the other half of the receiving duo, is out for the rest of the season after knee surgery. The Bengals (3-11) play San Diego (8-6) at home on Sunday.

Lions might turn to Hill

Leading the Detroit Lions to two straight wins may not have been enough to help Drew Stanton earn another shot.

Shaun Hill took snaps with the first-string offense Wednesday, making it look like he will start against the Miami Dolphins.

Stanton hurt his non-throwing shoulder in Sunday’s win at Tampa Bay, but was healthy enough to make all the throws during the early parts of practice open to the media.

Rodgers returns to practice

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has returned to practice with the Green Bay Packers.

It is Rodgers’ first practice with the team since sustaining a concussion in the Packers’ Dec. 12 loss at Detroit, his second concussion this season. Rodgers sat out Sunday night’s loss at New England.

Rodgers’ return could be a boost for the Packers heading into Sunday’s game against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field. Although the rival Chicago Bears have clinched the NFC North, the Packers still have playoff hopes.

Etc.

Brady is suffering from flu and skipped Wednesday’s practice…. The Broncos put fullback Spencer Larsen on injured reserve because of an ankle injury…. St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long did not practice while nursing a bruised thigh but expects to play against the San Francisco 49ers this weekend…. The Washington Redskins put defensive linemen Ma’ake Kemoeatu and Phillip Daniels on injured reserve and signed linebacker Rob Jackson and defensive lineman Darrion Scott…. The Arizona Cardinals put wide receiver Early Doucet on injured reserve because of a hip injury…. The Buffalo Bills signed defensive back Brett Johnson to their practice squad…. The NFL and Westwood One have extended their radio deal for four more years. The league said the broadcasts of its national games would remain on the service, which has had exclusive radio rights since 1987…. The Patriots have made two moves on their defensive line, signing free agent Landon Cohen and releasing Louis Leonard.