The top two Indianapolis Colts quarterbacks are on the fritz, and Nick Hill hopes to be in the mix.

With Peyton Manning just beginning to practice and backup Jim Sorgi nursing a swollen right knee, the former Southern Illinois University signal-caller left for Indianapolis Wednesday. He will work out for the Colts for about an hour today and take a physical, hoping to land a spot on the practice squad or the active roster.

"It's just another good opportunity for me," Hill said. "A lot of guys, toward the end of preseason, will get workouts. Any time another team will bring you in, you just have to look at it as a good opportunity. I just have to go out there and give it my best shot."

Hill's chances for the active roster are slim, however. The Colts play their final preseason game tonight against Cincinnati and plan to use backups Quinn Gray and Jared Lorenzen if Sorgi can't go, according to the Indianapolis Star. Both are experienced quarterbacks.

Gray, 29, started four of eight games for Jacksonville last season when starter David Garrard got hurt. The former Florida A&M standout completed 80 of 144 passes for 986 yards and 10 touchdowns. He did have five interceptions, but, in his fifth year in the league, could give the Colts an experienced backup. Lorenzen, 27, is in his fourth year in the NFL after playing the last three with the New York Giants.

Hill, 23, was signed after the NFL draft by the Chicago Bears, but was cut without playing a down in the preseason. Since players who have been in the league at least three years can't be on the practice squad, the Du Quoin native hopes to land that spot in Indianapolis.

"They try to have a young guy on their practice squad that they can try to develop, so, hopefully I'll show them something to keep me," Hill said.

Hill led SIU to a 12-2 record last year. He led the Gateway Conference in passing yards per game (226.8) and total offense (252.3). His 167.1 passing efficiency rating was the third-best in the country at the Football Championship Subdivision level.

todd.hefferman@thesouthern.com / 351-5087