INDIANAPOLIS – It was a thinned out Colts locker room on Monday afternoon.
After the Colts trimmed their roster to 76 players on Monday morning, they hit the practice field. The Colts will also practice on Tuesday afternoon, before their preseason finale on Thursday night.
One roster note to mention, Chuck Pagano said on Monday that Khaled Holmes is the team's starting center. Jonotthan Harrison had been receiving some first-team run this preseason.
What else did Pagano say to the media on Monday?Injury News
DT-Arthur Jones (ankle): Still waiting for further information. Jones is seeking another opinion.
CB-Greg Toler (neck): Remains week-to-week
RB-Vick Ballard (hamstring): Day-to-day
WR-T.Y. Hilton (concussion): Hilton was evaluated after the game and is going through the concussion protocol. Pagano expects Hilton to be okay
OLB-Cam Johnson (ankle): Day-to-day. Should be back Tuesday
CB-Jalil Brown (shoulder): Day-to-day
RB-Josh Robinson (concussion): Under the concussion protocol
WR-Phillip Dorsett (knee): Was back practicing on Monday
TE-Coby Fleener (ankle): Appeared to be back practicing on Monday
OG-Hugh Thornton (knee): Week-to-weekChuck Pagano on what the preseason finale can do for the final roster:
"Every year I've been in the league, it seems like one guy has made a final cut based on the last game. If it's not important, I'd be lying to you."
Bowen's Analysis: It's a shorter final preseason week for the Colts ahead of Thursday night's contest against the Bengals, at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts will have a normal, full, practice on Tuesday, which should be the last significant work the starters will get until the final roster cuts are made this weekend.
For the Colts players sweating it out on the roster bubble, Thursday is a Super Bowl of sorts, in terms of importance. Pagano, and the Colts staff making roster decisions, will be watching a game where guys like Boom Herron, Griff Whalen, Zach Kerr have all recently made impressions, eventually finding spots on the 53-man roster.
Chuck Pagano on the Bills (who the Colts will see in Week One) going with dual-threat quarterback Tyrod Taylor as their starter:
"I spent a little bit of time with (Taylor) in Baltimore so I know the kid well. He's a good football player, just needed a opportunity and it looks like he took full advantage of it."
Bowen's Analysis: Bills head coach Rex Ryan said on Monday that dual-threat quarterback Tyrod Taylor would be the starter when the Bills welcome the Colts in Week One of the regular season. Taylor came to Buffalo, from Baltimore, in the offseason. In 2011, then serving as Baltimore defensive coordinator, Pagano watched Taylor serve as the Ravens' backup quarterback.
Pagano said knowing Taylor will be the starter in less than two weeks is definitely an advantage with game planning on the horizon. In Taylor's four previous NFL seasons, he has played in 14 career games (throwing a total of 35 passes). If Taylor starts in Week One, it will be his first career start.Henry Anderson on a possible expanding role, depending on Arthur Jones' injury (playing more defensive tackle versus defensive end):
"Just a lot more bodies around you, things happen a little bit quicker because you are a little bit closer to the ball."
Bowen's Analysis: When Art Jones left Saturday's game, it was the rookie Anderson sliding into the lineup. Depending on the diagnosis for Jones, Anderson's role might increase significantly.
Anderson said playing Jones' position (versus the defensive end spot the rookie had been primarily working at) has him involved more in the interior. Anderson said on Monday that he played some three-technique (Jones' position) in college, mainly against spread offenses. According to Anderson, his biggest adjustment to potentially playing more defensive tackle will come with seeing guys from different angles trying to block him.
