Colts confirm Manning had spinal surgery Thursday - the third in less than 2 years

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Peyton Manning had another surgery on his neck Thursday, the Colts have confirmed.

The Indianapolis Colts quarterback has been recovering from neck surgery in May and the team confirmed Wednesday he would not play in Sunday’s matchup against the Houston Texans . Then, after earlier reports citing unnamed sources, the team confirmed Thursday afternoon that Manning had a "single-level anterior fusion" and that the surgery was "uneventful."

The procedure - which spinal vertebrae together to stabalize the spine - was the outcome of tests and consultations after Manning's recovery from a previous neck surgery in May was progressing slowly. The surgery in May was to repair a bulging disc. 24-Hour News 8 recently consulted a local surgeon for perspective on what problems the star quarterback could be experiencing .

It remains unclear whether Manning will be able to play at all this season. The Colts said Thursday that while the surgery is not unusual, rehabilitation is "an involved process." Manning will remain on the active roster for now, but there is no estimate when he could return to the field, the Colts said.

Manning's rehabilitation will begin immediately, under guidance from the surgeon, the Colts said. The team also said they would provide updates as required by the NFL.

The Colts also noted that two former Colts players last winter had the same procedure Manning underwent Thursday, and have "fully resumed their careers."

Peyton originally underwent a procedure to treat a pinched nerve in spring 2010 . Then, in May, he had surgery again .

The four-time MVP missed all of training camp at Anderson University, the second time in four seasons that's happened.

When Manning sat out in 2008 after having two surgeries to remove an infected bursa sac in his left knee.

The team moved him off of the physically unable to perform list and onto their active roster in late August , but he did not dress for any of the team's preseason games.

Recently, he had reportedly been experiencing pain in his back, which led to more consultation and decision to go ahead with the latest surgery Thursday.