Tennessee Titans quarterback Collins throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of their Monday night NFL football game in Jacksonville, Florida
Tennessee Titans quarterback Kerry Collins throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of their Monday night NFL football game in Jacksonville, Florida October 18, 2010. Reuters

The Indianapolis Colts agreed to terms with veteran quarterback Kerry Collins as an insurance play in case Pro Bowler Peyton Manning is not ready to start the season, the team said Wednesday.

Collins, 38, who retired from the National Football League (NFL) in July after a 16-season career, gives the Colts another option at quarterback should Manning be unable to recover from offseason neck surgery in time for the September 11 season opener.

It is a good opportunity to have Kerry become part of the team, Colts head coach Jim Caldwell said in a report posted on the team's website.

He is a veteran quarterback who has started many games and he brings dimension and depth to the quarterback position, which will be helpful. He is familiar with our division and will make a great addition to our roster.

Manning, who threw for 4,700 yards and 33 touchdowns last season, had surgery in May and backups Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky have yet to impress in pre-season games.

Collins, a former first-round pick of the Carolina Panthers and a two-time Pro Bowl selection, spent the last five seasons as an on-and-off starter for the Tennessee Titans, who play in the same division as the Colts.

He has thrown for 40,442 yards in his career, which places him 11th on the NFL's all-time list. He has also thrown 206 touchdowns and 195 interceptions in 194 games during a career that also included stops with the New Orleans Saints, New York Giants and Oakland Raiders.

The Colts did not disclose terms of the deal.

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