INDIANAPOLIS — Two key members of the Indianapolis Colts' roster — one on offense, the other on defense — made their returns to the practice field on Wednesday.
Defensive tackle/defensive end Denico Autry and running back Marlon Mack each were back, albeit on a limited basis, as the Colts began preparations for Sunday's AFC South Division battle against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium.
» Autry, who started the team's Week 1 game against the Cincinnati Bengals and finished with one solo tackle, suffered an ankle injury the following week at practice and had not been able to return to the field since. When healthy, Autry is the team's top three-technique. Hassan Ridgeway got the start in his place Week 2 against the Washington Redskins, though Ridgeway suffered a calf injury during that game and has not returned. Al-Quadin Muhammad started in that spot last Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.
» Mack suffered a hamstring injury in the team's preseason opener Aug. 9 and wouldn't return until the team's Week 2 game against the Redskins, getting the start in the Colts' 21-9 victory and running the ball 10 times for 34 yards and catching one pass for two yards. But Mack was held out of practice last week with foot and hamstring injuries, and did not play last Sunday against the Eagles. Rookie Jordan Wilkins got his second start at running back in Mack's place in that game.
Several other Colts players continued to be held out on Wednesday, however: cornerback Quincy Wilson (concussion), tackle Anthony Castonzo (hamstring), tight end Jack Doyle (hip) and Ridgeway (calf), each of whom did not play last Sunday in Philadelphia, did not practice today.
Tackle/guard Joe Haeg, meanwhile, also did not practice after suffering an ankle injury against the Eagles. Safeties Clayton Geathers (knee) and Malik Hooker (hip/groin) and tight end Eric Ebron (shoulder/knee), who played against the Eagles, also did not practice on Wednesday; defensive end Tarell Basham (not injury related), who was active but did not play in Philadelphia, also did not participate in today's practice.
Quarterback Andrew Luck also made an appearance on Wednesday's injury report. He was a full participant, and was listed with a groin injury.
Notable quotable
"You know, you talk to Matt for any length of time, and you're gonna sense and feel the conviction that he has about what he's teaching, and how deeply he believes in it. And so I think the players feel that, which is great. We talk a lot about that, in every phase, that you really have to play with conviction, and I think Matt does a great job with that." — Colts head coach Frank Reich, on how dedicated defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus is to his principles.
Injury report
Here's Wednesday's full practice report:
» DNP: DE Tarell Basham (not injury related); T Anthony Castonzo (hamstring); TE Jack Doyle (hip); TE Eric Ebron (shoulder/knee); S Clayton Geathers (knee); T/G Joe Haeg (ankle); S Malik Hooker (hip/groin); DT Hassan Ridgeway (calf); CB Quincy Wilson (concussion)
» Limited: DT/DE Denico Autry (ankle); RB Marlon Mack (hamstring)
» Full: QB Andrew Luck (groin)
