INDIANAPOLIS – The Colts got some terrific injury news on Thursday.
And it comes at such an important time with a massive one waiting on Sunday in Las Vegas.
What did we learn from the Colts on Tuesday?
- Thursday brought the return of LT-Anthony Castonzo (knee) to practice after he had missed 4 straight sessions. That’s, obviously, great news for the Colts. As long as Castonzo doesn’t have a setback, two practice days should be more than enough to have him ready to take on his normal left tackle duties this Sunday. We’ll see how Castonzo responds/participates in Friday’s final practice of the week.
- Wide receivers are confident. And T.Y. Hilton, who is playing in a contract year at the age of 31, falls into that category. “You saw it last week, I’m still dominant,” Hilton said on Thursday when asked about his future in the NFL. “I’m still effective. I can dominate any game, any team, no matter where we are at. If I get my chance, if I get my targets, I’m going to go out there and do what I do best and that’s make plays. I feel great. I’m excited. If I’m a free agent, I’m a free agent. I look forward to it. I’m excited. Body wise, I feel great. I’m still playing at a high level. God has a plan for me. What’s best for me is for me.” Any contract talks between the Colts and Hilton have not taken place this season. Those talks will be an interesting debate, especially with how Hilton handles his business as a teammate, which is something Frank Reich pointed out on Wednesday.
- Let’s put the up and down nature to T.Y. Hilton’s 2020 campaign aside for a quick second. This career stat for Hilton is pretty wild: Hilton and Julio Jones are the NFL’s only wideouts with at least 500 receiving yards in 9 straight seasons. No matter what happens this season, and beyond, Hilton has had an incredible career and ranks as one of the greatest players in franchise history.
- Good news on the Colts remaining strength of schedule? They have the 4th easiest schedule to finish the year: at Raiders (7-5), Texans (4-8), at Steelers (11-1), Jaguars (1-11). Where do the other AFC playoff competitors for the Colts rank in that? Titans (3rd), Ravens (1st), Raiders (11th), Browns (20th), Dolphins (29th).
- On Thursday morning, the Colts named Jacoby Brissett their nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. This award recognizes NFL players for outstanding community service off the field, as well as excellence on the field. Even before this year, Brissett was a mainstay in the Indianapolis and Florida communities, and that has hit more of the public light in 2020: “Jacoby is extremely deserving of this honor and he embodies everything Walter Payton and the award stand for,” Frank Reich said in a team release. “I cannot overstate the importance of Jacoby Brissett to this team. He is a leader, a special teammate and is highly respected by everyone in our organization. Simply put he’s played a significant role in our success both on and off the field. I’m so impressed with the job Jacoby has done addressing the needs of his community both in Indianapolis and in his hometown in Florida. His conviction, vision and action have made tangible changes and lasting impacts while influencing those around him to do the same.”
- The Colts filled their open roster spot on Thursday by signing OT-Will Holden (6-7, 330) off the Ravens practice squad. After taking several days for Holden to progress through COVID-19 protocol, he’s now eligible to play this Sunday, if needed. The Colts will have Chaz Green as a backup tackle if Anthony Castonzo is able to give it a go. Holden has 7 career starts and has played for 6 NFL teams since entering the league as a 5th round pick in 2017. Holden did spend a short period of time with the Colts in 2018.
- The Colts will practice one more time on Friday afternoon. Following a Saturday morning walk-through, they’ll head to Las Vegas for Sunday’s kickoff at 4:05 PM.
Thursday Injury Report
-DNP: P-Rigoberto Sanchez (illness), TE-Jack Doyle (rest)
Bowen Analysis: Sanchez remains on the active roster and is slowly getting back to work. Sanchez was the only Colt to not practice on Thursday due to illness/injury.
-Limited: OT-Anthony Castonzo (knee), DL-Tyquan Lewis (hip), LB-Bobby Okereke (ankle), DE-Kemoko Turay (ankle), S-Khari Willis (quad, back)
Bowen Analysis: Castonzo, Lewis and Willis all practiced on Thursday after missing Wednesday’s first practice.
-Full: DL-Denico Autry (rest), QB-Philip Rivers (toe), TE-Trey Burton (rest), DE-Justin Houston (rest), OT-Braden Smith (groin), LB-Anthony Walker (ribs)
Bowen Analysis: Good news on Braden Smith progressing to FULL after being limited on Thursday.
