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INDIANAPOLIS — Kerry Collins came to Indianapolis as Peyton Manning’s replacement.

After seven games, his season is over.

The Colts (0-7) placed Collins on injured reserve Tuesday because of a concussion. Collins started three games and went 48 of 98 for 481 yards with two TDs and one interception in Indy.

Collins announced in July that he was retiring, then was wooed out of retirement with a $4 million deal to be Manning’s backup.

But when Manning had another neck surgery in early September, Collins was suddenly promoted to starter. And now, with Manning still not expected back at practice before December, it’s Collins — not Manning — who is on injured reserve.

Collins started three games for the Colts. He was knocked out in the third quarter against Pittsburgh. He hasn’t played a down since and has been limited to light individual work at practice.

The Colts also placed fullback Chris Gronkowski on injured reserve, re-signed offensive linemen Jamey Richard and Michael Toudouze and running back Darren Evans to the active roster, and announced that starting guard Joe Reitz had arthroscopic surgery on his injured knee and will be out indefinitely.

Indy has three quarterbacks on the active roster — starter Curtis Painter, four-time league MVP Manning and recently signed Dan Orlovsky.

In other developments

Stafford uncertain: Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is be day-to-day with a sprained right ankle, and he sounded slightly less optimistic Tuesday about his chances of playing Sunday against the Denver Broncos.

“I think every competitor plans on playing,” Stafford said on a radio show. “We’ll see if that comes true. I’ve got to keep getting better to get there, but I want to, obviously.”

Stafford hurt his ankle on the Lions’ final offensive play of Sunday’s 23-16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, when linebacker Curtis Lofton rolled into his right leg.

Stafford said the sprain is “kind of in a weird spot,” and he’s not sure whether he’ll practice today. If he can’t play against the Broncos, Shaun Hill, who started 10 games last year, will start.

No teams attend Owens’ workout: Terrell Owens’ workout was watched by two television networks but no NFL teams in Calabasas, Calif.

The 37-year-old free-agent wide receiver participated in some drills and caught passes Tuesday outside Los Angeles in a showcase televised by ESPN and NFL Network. He told ESPN: “I definitely feel there are some teams out there that are interested.”

Owens has been rehabilitating a left knee injury that required surgery. He played 14 games for Cincinnati last year, catching 72 passes with nine touchdowns.

Vikings’ Cook charged with felony: Minnesota Vikings cornerback Chris Cook was charged Tuesday with trying to strangle his girlfriend over the weekend, leaving her with a bloody nose and injuries to her neck.

Cook was charged with felony domestic assault by strangulation, which carries a penalty of up to three years in prison and a $5,000 fine. The 24-year-old Cook was arrested early Saturday and was still in custody at midday Tuesday. He is barred from contact with the alleged victim and cannot leave Minnesota, which prevents him from traveling to Sunday’s game at Carolina.

Briefly: The Minnesota Vikings have waived wide receiver Bernard Berrian. Berrian was on the inactive list Sunday for the second time in three games. … The Buffalo Bills placed veteran linebacker Shawne Merriman on season-ending injured reserve on Tuesday because of a right Achilles injury. … The Miami Dolphins placed quarterback Sage Rosenfels on the reserve-non-football illness list and signed J.P. Losman, who last completed a pass in 2008. A blood disorder sent Rosenfels to the hospital in August, and he said in a statement that he hasn’t fully recovered. … The Washington Redskins have placed tight end Chris Cooley (left knee, broken finger) and running back Tim Hightower (left knee) on injured reserve. … The Atlanta Falcons placed fullback Ovie Mughelli on injured reserve. Mughelli hurt his right knee in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 23-16 win at Detroit. The Falcons also placed backup offensive guard Mike Johnson on injured reserve with a foot injury. Atlanta then signed running back Mike Cox and offensive lineman Kirk Chambers.

Tampa Bay running back Earnest Graham will miss the rest of the season because of a torn right Achilles’ tendon. … The New York Jets have waived backup center Colin Baxter, who started two games this season for injured Nick Mangold. … The Houston Texans signed safety Quintin Demps and waived receiver/kick returner Trindon Holliday. … The Detroit Lions signed cornerback Don Carey and released tight end Joe Jon Finley.

Published: Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 7:31 PM     Updated: Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 7:36 PM

Four-time league MVP Peyton Manning has been given the exclusive franchise tag by the Indianapolis Colts, meaning he will not become a free agent.

A person with knowledge of the negotiations confirmed the move Tuesday night to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the Colts had not yet announced the move.

If Manning plays under the tag, he will be paid $23 million next season and the Colts will have exclusive rights to negotiate with their franchise quarterback.

Manning is the only player in NFL history to win four league MVP awards. He also has won two AFC championships, one Super Bowl and a Super Bowl MVP, and he has broken all the Colts’ career records for quarterbacks.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – It’s news that rocked the Colts Complex Tuesday: a source tells 24-Hour News 8 that Gene Huey is no longer the running backs coach for the Indianapolis Colts.

Huey has been with the Colts for 19 years.

The Colts have had issues with their running game all year aside from injuries.

Sources tell us that Huey may be headed to the Minnesota Vikings to work with former Colts assistant coach Leslie Frazier, who is now the head coach for the Vikings.

We have contacted Huey, but we have not heard back from him yet.

We will have much more on this story tonight on 24-Hour News 8 at 5.