Report: Manning cleared for 2014 after neck check

Manning said earlier his return hinged on a clean bill of health. (USATSI)

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Call off the never-actually-planned retirement parades. Peyton Manning has reportedly been "fully cleared" to play football in 2014 after his neck exam on Monday.

Manning was scheduled to have his end-of-year neck exam Monday morning and Mike Klis of the Denver Post reports that Manning has "no neck issue" and is "officially ready for 2014."

It's not a massive surprise that Manning was cleared. He was healthy at the end of the season (at least in terms of his neck) and he's been playing (semi-professional) golf since the Broncos lost to the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII.

Had Manning been dealing with a neck injury, the Broncos could've voided the $20 million he's due in 2014.

With Manning being cleared, however, it's all systems go for the coming season.

Manning was the 2013 NFL MVP, breaking the single-season record for passing yards and passing touchdowns as the Broncos steamrolled everyone in their path until losing to the Seahawks in New Jersey.

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