INDIANAPOLIS – "Football weather" descended on the Colts at Wednesday's practice.
With snow flurries in the air, the Colts were practicing outdoors Wednesday ahead of their nighttime contest at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh this weekend.
Here are some sound bites from Chuck Pagano and Andrew Luck meeting the media on Wednesday:Andrew Luck on getting back to throwing:
"I've thrown a couple times in the past week.
"Each time you rack up the intensity and make sure that when I am able to come back, I'm not missing a beat."
Bowen's Analysis: On Wednesday, Luck met with the media and said that he has resumed throwing and is continuing to feel better. Luck still has not returned to practice and there is no timetable for his return.
Tuesday marked the third week since the Colts announced a "two-to-six week" recovery period for the Colts franchise quarterback. It's becoming a very real possibility that the Colts are going to lean on Matt Hasselbeck for up to half of their season. Luck spoke like a proud father about Hasselbeck on Wednesday, saying that No. 8 is "playing at a Pro Bowl level."Chuck Pagano on last year's meeting with the Steelers and looking at that tape:
"We would like to make the corrections necessary…and hopefully avoid the big plays."
Bowen's Analysis:* *In the Colts 51-34 loss to the Steelers last season, Pittsburgh set franchise records in passing yards and touchdown passes. The big plays came in the form of three plays of at least 47 yards. The craziness of last year's game included a one-score contest early in the fourth quarter.
It's still a very, very explosive Pittsburgh attack in 2015, even with Le'Veon Bell on injured reserve. A couple of differences from last year's meeting is the Colts will now have Robert Mathis in the fold to help a pass rush that could not a generate sack in 49 throws from Big Ben last year. Also, Vontae Davis exited after 11 snaps in last year's loss due to injury.
Chuck Pagano on Boom Herron now being the team's No. 2 running back:
"Certainly, he will give us an option when Frank needs a spell to go in on early downs."
Bowen's Analysis: Despite the nagging injuries, Frank Gore practiced Wednesday and Boom Herron joined him in running back drills. Herron is the team's No. 2 back which in this day and age in the NFL, especially with a 32-year-old running back, that means a 12th starter for the offense.
Matt Hasselbeck spoke on Wednesday how Herron is a quarterback's best friend with his ability to make himself available on check downs (20 catches for Herron in three postseason games last year). Hasselbeck said the Steelers blitz more than probably any team the Colts have seen this season, which means Herron and the other backs must be ready on passing downs.**
INJURY NOTES**
Here is Wednesday's injury report:
- DNP: S-Mike Adams (ankle), OT-Anthony Castonzo (knee), LB-Trent Cole (rest), CB-Vontae Davis (hamstring), WR-Phillip Dorsett (ankle), ILB-Jerrell Freeman (hamstring), WR-Andre Johnson (rest), QB-Andrew Luck (abdomen/kidney), OLB-Robert Mathis (rest), OG-Hugh Thornton (elbow), OLB-Erik Walden (heel)
-These players remain "week-to-week": Castonzo, Freeman and Luck. Pagano is hopeful that Adams gets back on the practice field Thursday. Adams practiced in a limited role last Friday and has missed the past two games.
