"This, maybe, will stop some of the whining going on," he [Manning] said. "I just didn't want to get into these daily progress reports. I've done nothing but rehab, I guess we're sort of in the rumor mill now. I don't wear a knee brace, I wore this (wrap) today, really for the first time.

"If we're to the point of someone putting a cell phone picture on the news, that's a little disappointing. So I guess, I'll squash that right now, it's not true. I don't wear a knee brace."

and some more encouraging news:

"This has been a new process for me, and it's not been the most enjoyable process," Manning said. "I can throw. I have been able to keep my arm in shape. I can certainly lift weights with my upper body, and my lower body, so I feel I've been able to stay with my strength level. As far as when, and how much time I need, we'll just have to kind of wait and see."

Can he take only the first snap against the Bears and still have it considered a start?  Worst case scenario...I'd hate for him to lose his consecutive starts...

Anyway, its nice to hear from him...

heres the link:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hvSywIwb_12tKXo-uW7zQ2IjeaWgD92LJHNG1