INDIANAPOLIS – Andrew Luck took another positive step in the concussion protocol on Wednesday afternoon.
Luck, along with Clayton Geathers, were both back working on Wednesday as they are expected to be cleared before the team's trip to New York this weekend.
Here is the Wednesday notebook examining the entire injury situation (headlined by Luck) and what awaits the Colts in New York on Monday Night Football:
INJURY NOTES
- OLB-Trent Cole (back): The Cole update is here. It's a wait and see approach with Cole in seeing when he's ready to be called up to the active roster. The Colts have a three-week window to decide what to do with Cole. We've seen Cole practice both days this week.
- CB-Vontae Davis (groin): Davis has missed Monday and Wednesday's practices this week. Chuck Pagano said earlier this week that he was optimistic Davis would play against the Jets, but that the cornerback might not practice until Thursday.
- S-Clayton Geathers (concussion): Geathers was in a blue jersey at Wednesday's practice. The contact practice is the second-to-last step for Geathers being fully cleared from the concussion protocol. An independent neurologist will do the final clearance for Geathers (and Luck).
- G-Denzelle Good (neck): The team's starting right guard was present, dressed for practice on Wednesday.
- WR-T.Y. Hilton (lower back): Hilton was participating during the open media portion of practice.
- C-Ryan Kelly (shoulder): After playing just three snaps in last Thursday's loss to the Steelers, Kelly has practiced on Monday and Wednesday.
- QB-Andrew Luck (concussion): The update on Luck is below.
- OLB-Robert Mathis (bicep): Mathis was not seen at Wednesday's practice. Mathis spoke about his injured bicep during his Tuesday night radio show.
- CB-Patrick Robinson (groin): Robinson has not been dressed for practice on Monday or Wednesday of this week.
Andrew Luck on progressing through the concussion protocol Wednesday:
"Full practice. No restrictions. Feel great."
Bowen's Analysis: With his pads still on from practice, Luck had his normal Wednesday media session. Luck's final clearance in the concussion protocol will come from an independent neurologist.
Looking ahead to the Jets, Luck said it is a defense that is certainly not a "passive" unit playing style wise. Luck has to be relishing being back with this opportunity coming in December. Remember last year, Luck wasn't on the field for the Colts "must-win" close to the season in trying to earn a playoff berth. He should be back this time around and that is the biggest advantage the Colts have in their effort to move past the Titans and Texans.Chuck Pagano on the physical Jets defensive front:
"As good of a front as we will see.
"Big, long, aggressive. They seem to be in everybody's backfield all the time."
Bowen's Analysis: Former first-round picks are littered in every level of the Jets defense. But it is New York's front that has loads of talent, especially in the interior. Knowing what is coming Monday, it's good news for the Colts they've had Ryan Kelly and Denzelle Good back to practice this week.
Staying ahead of the chains was something Pagano mentioned as a major key this week. The Jets force the second most negative plays in the NFL. On Wednesday, Pagano stressed the need to get Frank Gore going. December football lends to more of a focus in the trenches. Pagano said that when the Colts have more rushing attempts than their opponents they win more than 90 percent of their games.
T.Y. Hilton on facing the Jets defensive backs:
"I had a talk (Wednesday) morning with our receivers. We know we have to beat man coverage.
"They come up in your face and be aggressive. So just beat your man, get open and make plays."
Bowen's Analysis: On Wednesday morning, T.Y. Hilton met with his receivers to lay out what the final month looks like for the Colts. The agenda included letting his group know that they must make up for their subpar performance last week, beat the man coverage the Jets will bring and seize the opportunity that is coming in December.
With Andrew Luck expected to be back this week, the Colts should have their normal playbook at the disposal of Rob Chudzinski. The Jets have had Luck's number in two career meetings. In those losses, Luck had passer ratings of 51.3 and 52.8 respectively---those rank in the top-five lowest of his NFL career.**
INJURY REPORT**
With a Monday night game this week, the first official injury report of the week will come on Thursday.
