INDIANAPOLIS – Andrew Luck continues to practice and continues to be listed as a limited participant, as the Colts hit the field again on Thursday.
Luck was once again throwing in front of the media on Thursday, going through the full gamut of his normal, individual period, throws.
Thursday also saw Ahmad Bradshaw make his 2015 debut on the practice field, after the Colts signed him on Wednesday.
Here are some sound bites from Bradshaw, Pep Hamilton and Greg Manusky talking to the media on Thursday:Ahmad Bradshaw on returning to the Colts:
"This is family to me. I definitely wanted to be here.
"I've gotten injured the past couple years. Just a thing with me, I guess. I play the game the way I play it. I won't stop now."
Bowen's Analysis:* *No. 44 was back on the practice field on Thursday. Bradshaw spoke with the media after practice and said he and Frank Gore actually share the same trainer, and the two veteran backs talked in the offseason about teaming up in Indianapolis.
Bradshaw, who broke his fibula last November, said on Thursday that he has no doubt he will be ready when his number is called, possibly on Sunday. Last year, Bradshaw had zero preseason reps before hitting the field in the regular season (Bradshaw was coming back from a serious neck injury in 2014). Dwayne Allen said on Thursday that Bradshaw "turns into a monster" once the No. 44 jersey is put on. We will see if that monster is unleashed on Sunday night, behind Gore.
Pep Hamilton on the Patriots taking away T.Y. Hilton:
"We (need to) find ways to position T.Y., so he can win his matchup.
"Without giving you too much information (laughs), I think we have a good plan going into this game on Sunday night."
Bowen's Analysis: Pep Hamilton was asked on Thursday about what he's seen from a Patriots cornerback group with several new guys in the fold. Hamilton said he's seen a more aggressive looking front seven from the Patriots this year with all the cornerbacks in different roles.
Hamilton is obviously going to try and design ways to get Hilton open on Sunday. However, the other Colts skill players should be licking their chops at the opportunities that might come their way on Sunday night. The Colts look like they will have their full assortment of skill guys for this week, including Bradshaw and Dwayne Allen---two guys who were hurt during last year's regular-season meeting with New England.Greg Manusky on the defensive run struggles against the Patriots:
"I think it's a combination of not doing the right thing, not being physical enough."
Bowen's Analysis: Manusky was asked on several occasions Thursday about stopping the Patriots run. The confidence Manusky has in this year's bunch is because it's a more athletic front and a group that the defensive coordinator says really understands the schemes and concepts of the team's 3-4 system.
On Thursday, Manusky was also asked about containing Patriots All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski. Manusky said that the Colts have to mix and match what/who they throw at Gronk. The Colts defensive coordinator did mention that rookie safety Clayton Geathers (6-2 and 215 pounds) could be a matchup possibility on Gronk.
INJURY NOTES
Here is the injury report for Thursday:
- DNP: OLB-Bjoern Werner (hamstring), D'Qwell Jackson (rest)
-After practicing full on Wednesday, Werner did not participate Thursday due to his hamstring injury.
- LIMITED: OLB-Trent Cole (back), ILB-Jerrell Freeman (groin), ILB-Nate Irving (knee), QB-Andrew Luck (right shoulder), WR-T.Y. Hilton (groin), DT-Billy Winn (eye)
-Hilton is a new addition to the injury report. After missing practice on Wednesday, Freeman returned Thursday in a limited role.
- FULL: WR-Andre Johnson (rest), OLB-Robert Mathis (rest)
-This follows the typical pattern of Wednesday rest days to Thursday practice days for the Colts veterans.
