INDIANAPOLIS – Last year it was Robert Mathis.
In 2016, it will be another disruptive presence in the defensive front.
The injury to watch when the Colts begin Training Camp in Anderson this July will be the ACL recovery of Henry Anderson.
As the Colts look to construct the future of their defense, Anderson is a sound and sturdy building block.
The Colts found a gem in the latter stages of the third round last year.
Anderson was a menace in the first half of his rookie season, garnering Defensive Rookie of the Year candidacy.
But then Anderson's strong debut came to a screeching halt.
An ACL injury against the Broncos on Nov. 8 ended Anderson's 2015 campaign.
Such a rehab has his start to the 2016 season in question.
"I'd probably be jumping out on a limb saying he'll be ready by Training Camp," Chuck Pagano said of the 6-6, 300-pound Anderson at last week's League Meetings.
"He's probably not going to be ready to be put out there. We're going to have to protect Henry from Henry, because he's going to be eager and trying to push it."
In looking back on the top rookie defensive linemen from last season, Anderson's name belongs with Leonard Williams (the No. 3 overall pick of the Jets) at the top of the list.
Anderson's instant impact was massive when you consider the Colts lost Arthur Jones for the season last August.
Asking Anderson to be ready for an early start to the 2016 Training Camp is a bit premature when you consider he would be just eight and a half months removed from his ACL injury.
A goal of suiting up in Week One of the regular season is a goal for Anderson.
"We'll be smart and we won't put (Anderson) out there until he's ready, especially playing the position that he plays." Pagano said in Florida. "You play 3-technique and you're putting a lot of weight (on the leg) and you're taking on doubles, 600, 700 pounds on you at one time. So we have to be smart about when we put him back in there."
