INDIANAPOLIS – A normal "Victory Monday" wasn't in the fold on this Monday for the Colts. That's the case when you have a quick turnaround with a Thursday night game this week.
The Colts practiced on Monday evening for a little more than an hour. They will get back on the field Tuesday, before departing for Houston on Wednesday afternoon.
Here are some sound bites from Chuck Pagano and Andre Johnson on Monday:
ROSTER MOVES
On Monday, the Colts signed free agent cornerback Shaun Prater and released quarterback Josh Johnson from the 53-man roster.
Prater was with the team part of last week and could be needed with Jalil Brown injuring his groin in Sunday's win over Jacksonville (Brown is "week-to-week"). With Johnson released, the Colts now have the normal number of two quarterbacks on the active roster.Chuck Pagano on the progress of Andrew Luck:
"He looked good. He's moving in the right direction, trending in the right direction, a lot better than he was Saturday."
Bowen's Analysis:* *Let me start by saying, Monday's practice for the Colts was extremely light (think walk-through). That has to be the case when you are back on the field 24 hours after an overtime game. The "throws" Luck made during the open media portion of practice on Monday (something he didn't do last week) were soft lobs to Frank Gore.
Pagano said Luck has a "sore shoulder" in regards to the reports that came out Monday of a possible seperated right shoulder for the three-time Pro Bowler. The Colts did release quarterback Josh Johnson on Monday. Johnson was the backup in Sunday's win over Jacksonville. The Colts are now back to their normal number of two quarterbacks on the active roster, a sign that Luck should at least dress on Thursday, as long as the team doesn't add another quarterback before then.
Matt Hasselbeck on this week:
"I'm going to get myself ready to play. I don't expect to play, but I will be ready to play, in case I'm needed."
Bowen's Analysis: All things considered, the performance from Hasselbeck on Sunday was exactly what the Colts needed and want out of their backup quarterback. He didn't turn the ball over and found the Colts playmakers in an efficient fashion, not hanging in the pocket too long to absorb many hits.[
Hasselbeck had some terrific comments with Sports Illustrated's Peter King on Sunday afternoon that were published Monday morning](http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2015/10/05/nfl-quarter-season-surprises-disappointments-mvp). The 40-year old Hasselbeck told King he felt like William Wallace from the movie "Braveheart" running out of the tunnel on Sunday. Hasselbeck admitted on Monday he was a little too jacked up to begin Sunday's game, so if the Colts need him again Thursday I would expect a little crisper start for the man with 153 career stats.
Andre Johnson on returning to Houston on Thursday night:
"I had 12 great years there. Eventually, it came to an end.
"I'm a Colt now. I'm just looking forward to going down there and win a football game."
Bowen's Analysis: There's not a more decorated player in Texans franchise history than Johnson. The former No. 3 overall pick, Johnson, spent 12 seasons in Houston, piling up 1,012 receptions, 13,597 receiving yards and seven Pro Bowls.
It's been challenging for Johnson making the transition to the Colts offense. Johnson didn't take the bait on Monday in putting any blame to questions about back-to-back outings with zero receptions. As far as Johnson's return to Houston on Thursday, he's not sure about the reception he will receive from the Texans faithful. He is expecting a hostile environment though come game time, and a "loud as hell" road atmosphere greeting the Colts.
INJURY NOTES
Here is the injury report for Monday:
- DNP: DT-Henry Anderson (foot), CB-Jalil Brown (groin), ILB-Jerrell Freeman (groin), RB-Frank Gore (foot), DE-Kendall Langford (back), RB-Tyler Varga (concussion), ILB-Bjoern Werner (hamstring) and CB-Vontae Davis (foot)
-The guys above are all day-to-day except Brown and Werner. Both were hurt during the game on Sunday and are listed as "week-to-week." Varga remains under concussion protocol after missing Sunday's win over Jacksonville.
- LIMITED: QB-Andrew Luck (right shoulder)
-The Luck update is above.
- FULL: TE-Dwayne Allen (ankle), CB-Greg Toler (neck)
-It sounds like the Colts will get Toler back for the first time since he injured his neck in Week Two of the preseason. Allen also said on Monday that he expects to play on Thursday.
