INDIANAPOLIS --- Forty days after breaking his ankle against the Saints, Colts wide receiver and 1st round pick Phillip Dorsett returned to practice Friday. Head coach Chuck Pagano still ruled him out for Sunday's game at Pittsburgh, but Dorsett is getting closer.
"I mean that was my first surgery. I've never had surgery," said Dorsett Friday. "It was tough going through that, but I'm just glad to be back."
Being back meant logging limited participation in practice Friday. Next week he hopes to take the next step.
"Hopefully get through a whole practice without it hurting too bad," said Dorsett about what he hopes to do following Sunday's road game against the Steelers. "Once I get through a whole practice, we'll go from there."
Dorsett said last week is when he began to incorporate on-field work into his recovery, beginning to cut on his surgically repaired ankle when he ran. Dorsett said it hurt at first, but he's progressing.
"I'm feeling better, actually. I got a lot of work done these past couple of weeks. It just feels good to be out there, doing the little bit I did today," said Dorsett. "Not fully there yet, but getting there."
Dorsett saw his snap counts increase each of the first four weeks of the season, playing a season-high 38% of offensive snaps week 6 against New England, before injuring his ankle week 7 against New Orleans.
Dorsett said in the days after the injury happened it was bad timing, considering he was starting to become more a part of the game plan each week.
His practice participation next week will be a good indication of whether Dorsett will return week 14 at Jacksonville.
