INDIANAPOLIS - Colts quaterback Peyton Manning is nursing a sprained right knee and won't play against the Bengals Thursday in the season's final preseason game at Paul Brown Stadium.

        The two-time Pro Bowl QB missed his first practice Sunday since signing with the Colts three years ago.

        “I was throwing it around a little bit today,” Manning said. “If we were playing the (New York) Jets this week, I probably would practice this week.”

        Manning hurt the knee and what he called a sprained right ankle in Friday night's 28-21 loss at Minnesota. The injury occurred just before halftime when Vikings defensive tackle Chris Hovan spun away from rookie guard Ryan Diem and rolled into Manning's right leg.

        “I was pretty fortunate,” Manning said. “That is the type of play where you can be hurt pretty seriously. The thing that I thought saved me was that, when I followed through, I was on my toe instead of being planted. If I'd have been firmly planted, it might have been worse.”

        Mark Rypien will start against the Bengals — the first time since 1997 anyone other than Manning has started.

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