Research by Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star shows that not only has Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning started 210 consecutive regular season and post-season games, Manning has only missed one regular season snap due to an injury.

Manning's remarkable durability is why the Colts have tendered to carry just two quarterbacks during the regular season.

With Manning coming off knee surgery, the Colts used a 2009 sixth-round pick on Purdue quarterback Curtis Painter, and kept him on the 53-man roster behind Manning and long-time backup Jim Sorgi.

When Sorgi was placed on injured reserve with an injured shoulder, the Colts reverted back to a two-quarterback approach.

Sorgi has moved on, signing a two-year contract with the New York Giants where he'll back-up the other Manning brother. Despite Painter's struggles in limited action last season (8-of-28, 83 yards, 2 INTs, 9.8 passer rating), Colts president Bill Polian isn't sure if the team will carry three quarterbacks in 2010.

"The backup quarterback is Curtis Painter," Polian said. "The question is: Do we carry a third, and if we do, who is it?"

Competing for that third spot will be Tom Brandstater, a sixth-round pick in '09 out of Fresno State by the Denver Broncos who was claimed on waivers on June 7, and undrafted free agent Tim Hiller, who played his college ball at Western Michigan.

Polian explained his philosophy towards the back-up quarterback spot to Chappell.

"If you have a young player that you feel has a future, that's always better than a veteran player who's proven that he can't do the job, which is why he's (available) in the first place," Polian said.