Eights days after coming out of retirement to sign with the Indianapolis Colts, 38-year-old journeyman quarterback Kerry Collins struggled in his first live action in the team’s final exhibition game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Collins completed 5 of 10 passes for 45 yards, and was also sacked and lost a fumble. His best play was perhaps his first one when he threw deep and the Colts picked up 44 yards on a pass interference penalty. With Peyton Manning only activated two days before the game and still uncertain if he’ll be ready to start the regular season opener on September 11, Colts coach Jim Caldwell could be forced to choose either Collins or Curtis Painter to be his Week 1 starting quarterback.

Caldwell tried to stress the positives he saw from his new old quarterback Collins in Cincinnati. “He did some things pretty well out there,” said Caldwell. “He had some situations where he couldn’t get the ball out — a sack, fumble — and we had a drop out there. Other than that, in terms of our operation, I think he did OK.”

Painter, who has backed up Manning the past two seasons, didn’t see any action in the final preseason game. Dan Orlovsky took over for Collins on the last series of the first half and finished the game, which the Colts “won” 17-13.

written by Chalk \\ tags: Bengals, Colts, Curtis Painter, Jim Caldwell, Kerry Collins, NFL preseason, Peyton Manning, Peyton Manning injury