INDIANAPOLIS – It's a very odd week for the NFL world.
A preseason game will be played with hardly any headline guys. Nearly 40 guys will be cut from each team. And teams will turn their attention towards the regular season arriving in less than two weeks.
The Colts practiced on Monday and will get back to work again on Tuesday. They will then travel to Cincinnati on Wednesday, with Thursday's preseason finale coming against the Bengals.
On Monday, we heard from Chuck Pagano, Andrew Luck and new running back Stevan Ridley.
INJURY NEWS
- TE-Dwayne Allen (hip): Allen had hip soreness after Saturday night's game versus the Eagles and missed Monday's practice.
- CB-Darius Butler (ankle): Day-to-day. Butler did not practice on Monday after getting hurt against Philadelphia.
- CB-Vontae Davis (ankle): Week-to-week with a medial sprain. Davis is now a week and a half into his recovery.
- OT-Joe Haeg (ankle): Pagano isn't sure if Haeg will be ready to go for Week One of the regular season. Haeg has yet to do live football, change of direction, work in rehab.
- OG-Jack Mewhort (knee): It's a two-to-four week recovery for Mewhort. MRI was indeed negative.
- OT-Joe Reitz (back): Day-to-day. Did not play against the Eagles after missing two days of practice last week.
- CB-Patrick Robinson (groin): Still day-to-day after hurting his groin last week versus the Ravens. Robinson was doing some jogging/stretching at Monday's practice, before going into the indoor facility to work with the rehab staff.
- CB-D'Joun Smith (ankle): The knee injury for Smith isn't the issue. It's now an ankle ailment that is keeping him sidelined. Pagano is hoping to get Smith back before the end of this week.
- OG-Hugh Thornton (ankle): Still week-to-week. Thornton is using a scooter to get around the locker room. The ankle injury for Thornton has kept him off the field for the last month.
The following players also did not appear to be practicing on Monday: CB-Jalil Brown (foot), S-Clayton Geathers (foot), DE-Kendall Langford (knee), CB-Tevin Mitchel (hamstring) and NT-David Parry (undisclosed).Andrew Luck on if he's worried about the starting offense scoring six points in three quarters this preseason:
"I would say disappointing.
"I know we are going to score a lot of points with this offense. We've got playmakers."
Bowen's Analysis:* *With Andrew Luck at quarterback, the Colts had seven series with their starting offense this preseason. They crossed midfield on five of those drives (getting to at least the opposing 30-yard line on four trips). However, they only scored six total points.
Finishing off drives has to be the focus for the offense, when things get real on Sept. 11. Luck likes how he feels after three quarters of preseason action. The hits he took on Saturday had him feeling like a normal Monday following a regular season game. Luck said fans should expect the Colts to be multiple and spread the ball around once the regular season rolls around. Per usual, Luck is not expected to play in Thursday's preseason finale.
Chuck Pagano on the play of the offensive line against the Eagles:
"Anytime you give up sacks and quarterback hits there's reason for concern.
"We looked at the tape, got back to practice today and showed the guys where the breakdowns were, whether it was a communication breakdown or a fundamental issue."
Bowen's Analysis: The offensive line play was not up to par over the weekend and now that group is dealing with some injuries. With Jack Mewhort out two-to-four weeks, Chuck Pagano once again mentioned Jonotthan Harrison as a possibility at left guard. Harrison has played a very minimal amount of guard in his first three NFL seasons, but he's the expected guy to slide into the starting lineup with Joe Haeg (ankle) still sidelined.
Pagano was asked on Monday about the play of Anthony Castonzo this preseason. Castonzo admitted that his play against the Eagles was not at all where he wants it to be. The Colts will need their outside blockers (Castonzo on the left and the banged up Joe Reitz on the right) to be ready early in September. Some of the league's top edge rushers (Detroit's Ziggy Ansah and Denver's Von Miller) are waiting in Weeks One and Two.
New running back Stevan Ridley on coming to Indianapolis:
"It's an opportunity to come in here and complement a GOAT (Frank Gore) at the position."
Bowen's Analysis: The Colts worked out Ridley on Friday and then brought him in for good on Sunday morning. Here are some highlights of Ridley, who reassured on Monday that he is completely healthy from a 2014 ACL tear.
With Ridley now in the building, the running back room just got a bit more crowded. Frank Gore and Robert Turbin are going to be on this roster. It will likely come down to Jordan Todman, Ridley and Josh Ferguson for one or two spots in rounding out the ball carrier group. Those three will get the chances on Thursday night for one final impression.**
ROSTER MOVES**
On Monday morning, the Colts trimmed their roster down to 77 guys. They must make two more moves by Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. to get their roster at the mandated number of 75.
The moves on Monday were as followed: released tight end Konrad Reuland and waived wide receiver Daniel Anthrop, tackle Keith Lumpkin and running back Trey Williams.
