INDIANAPOLIS – Virtually every Tuesday during an NFL season has the Colts out in the community.
They were working on football this Tuesday though, with a short week upon them.
It was a lighter practice on Tuesday for the Colts before they pick up the activity Wednesday, leading into Saturday's road trip to take on the Raiders.
Here is the Tuesday notebook with Chuck Pagano meeting the media:
INJURY NOTES
- G-Denzelle Good (concussion): Good is still in the concussion protocol after practicing last Wednesday, but missing the next two days. The health of Good and Reitz this week will depend on if the Colts turn again to three rookies in the starting lineup.
- WR-Donte Moncrief (hamstring): Chuck Pagano said Donte Moncrief will practice in a limited role on Wednesday, the first true practice of the week for the Colts. Pagano said the hope is for Moncrief to keep on progressing enough to play on Saturday.
- OT-Joe Reitz (back): Reitz did a little bit of work on Tuesday. The first injury report of the week won't come until Wednesday.
Chuck Pagano on the 11-3 Raiders:
"They are big, athletic and fast.
"Their line of scrimmage is big."
Bowen's Analysis: Averaging right around 320 pounds a man along the offensive line, the Raiders are the best pass-protecting group in the NFL. Pagano spoke to the length that he sees on Oakland's roster.
The Raiders are very balanced (6th in both rushing offense and passing offense) this season. Quarterback Derek Carr has orchestrated seven fourth-quarter comebacks this year, behind 25 touchdowns and six interceptions. A hand injury has put Carr exclusively in the shotgun in recent weeks. It will be a big challenge for the Colts in trying to keep their four-game road winning streak alive.Chuck Pagano on what he's seen from the young guys in December:
"You find out as to who has really bought in to whole notion of preparing like a starter."
Bowen's Analysis: With the Colts' playoff hopes on life support, a look ahead to 2017 has come here in December. Through injuries/suspensions, the Colts have thrown some young guys into the mix. The early results have been pretty good.
Guys like TE-Mo Alie-Cox, OT-Le'Raven Clark, ILB-Edwin Jackson, ILB-Antonio Morrison and WR-Chester Rogers have all made positive impressions. If the playoffs do not occur for this team, these guys have positioned themselves for potential bigger roles when 2017 arrives. We will see if any other younger guys emerge in the next two weeks.Chuck Pagano on the play of Robert Turbin this season:
"To be a really good football team, guys have to embrace their role. And he's done that."
Bowen's Analysis: When Robert Turbin signed a one-year contract with the Colts, he wanted to prove that he could be a starter in this league. Turbin, who has also been a four-core special teams player for the Colts, has done a very solid job with his goal.
The fifth-year running back has six rushing touchdowns this season. He had just one in his first 58 career games. Turbin is making a strong case to be a re-signing candidate for the Colts next offseason. Whether it's inside the 10-yard line, pass protecting or making a play out of the backfield as the team's third-down back, Turbin has given the Colts something they've been searching for---a durable and productive backup running back.
