Colts RB Ahmad Bradshaw out several weeks to treat neck injury

Don't look for Colts running back Ahmad Bradshaw to be returning to the playing field anytime soon. The seven-year pro signed as a free agent in the offseason has begun treatment on a neck injury he sustained in Indy's Week 3 win over the San Francisco 49ers. Bradshaw had 94 rushing yards and a touchdown in that game, but hasn't played since because of the injury.

Bradshaw has reportedly consulted with multiple doctors on a course of treatment. In a report on Thursday, Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star wrote that season-ending surgery is absolutely an option of Bradshaw. Per an ESPN report, the doctor Bradshaw visited in Los Angeles earlier this week was Dr. Robert Watkins. Dr. Watkins was involved in the spinal fusion surgery for Peyton Manning prior to the 2011 regular season.

Knowing Bradshaw's lengthy injury history (this isn't his first neck issue), and the fact that he is only inked to a one-year deal, the likelihood of him returning to the Colts soon doesn't look good. Indianapolis already lost starting running back Vick Ballard to a knee injury during a practice back in September. They've since traded a first round pick for the former No. 3 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Trent Richardson.

Sunday against the Seahawks, the Colts will only have Richardson, Donald Brown, and Robert Hughes available to play running back. Starting fullback Stanley Havili is out with an ankle injury.