INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts are continuing to see key playmakers return to their lineup.
The Colts have released their inactives list prior to today's game, and three players labeled as questionable heading in — wide receiver Parris Campbell, tight end Jack Doyle and cornerback Kenny Moore II — will all be active today.
Cornerback Pierre Desir and defensive tackle/end Tyquan Lewis, the two other players listed as questionable for the Colts on Friday, are inactive, meanwhile. The five other inactive players for Indy include wide receiver Deon Cain, tackle/guard Le'Raven Clark, defensive tackle Carl Davis, running back Jonathan Williams and cornerback Quincy Wilson.
Campbell joins safety Malik Hooker as two key players making their returns to game action today after sitting out multiple weeks with their respective injuries. Over the last three games, the Colts (4-2) have also seen three other starters — defensive end Jabaal Sheard (knee), linebacker Darius Leonard (concussion) and safety Clayton Geathers (concussion) — work their way back.
While wide receiver Devin Funchess remains on injured reserve — he's expected to return to practice within a few days — and Desir continues to battle a nagging hamstring injury, head coach Frank Reich's team is about as healthy as it can be heading into the midpoint of the regular season.
"Yeah, I think we are in pretty good shape," Reich said Friday. "We've got some guys who are a little bit banged up like you said, who will be questionable. So we need to take advantage of that, right? It's nice to go in and have to try to decide who is going to be down. Those are hard — who is going to be down — because we have a lot of guys playing good football."
Of those returning to game action today:
» Campbell makes his return after missing two games with an abdominal injury suffered Week 4 against the Oakland Raiders. The 2019 second-round pick out of Ohio State underwent a minor procedure Oct. 4, according to Reich, but was able to return to practice this week. Reich said Friday he was "thinking there is a good chance" Campbell would be good to go against the Broncos. "We will see how he responds tomorrow, but he has had a good week of practice and thinking that he will be ready to go," Reich said. Campbell should make an impact both in the slot and lined up outside for the Colts' offense, while he has also been utilized as the team's primary kickoff returner.
» Hooker has missed the last three games after suffering a knee injury Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons, but was able to return to practice last week — he was a full participant by last Friday — and although he was inactive last Sunday against the Houston Texans, he was hopeful that he could make his return today against the Broncos. "This is the best we've all seen him look," Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus said of Hooker on Tuesday. "We're excited to get him back and we're excited for his roles that he's going to play with us. We'll see how it goes."
» Moore II, meanwhile, makes his return today after suffering — and then playing through — a knee injury Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs, and, after the bye week, sitting out last Sunday's win over the Houston Texans. If Moore II is limited in any fashion today, then Shakial Taylor, Marvell Tell III or even safety Rolan Milligan could get added defensive reps lined up outside or in the slot against Denver.
Of those inactive:
» Desir suffered, and played through, a hamstring injury Week 5 against the Chiefs. He didn't practice last week leading up to the game against the Texans, but was able to be active on gameday, finishing with seven tackles and two passes defensed, as well as his first interception of the season. Desir didn't practice this past Wednesday, but was a limited participant on Thursday and Friday. Rookie Rock Ya-Sin could get the start in Desir's place today against the Broncos.
» Lewis suffered an ankle injury during the second quarter of the Colts' Week 3 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons; he was able to return to practice for the first time Wednesday, and was limited on Wednesday and Thursday and a full participant by Friday. Lewis this season has appeared in two games and has one tackle; he had 13 tackles (three for a loss) with two sacks, eight quarterback hits and one pass defensed in eight games as a rookie last season. Other options along the defensive line for the Colts today include Grover Stewart, Margus Hunt and Trevon Coley.
The Indianapolis Colts have arrived at Lucas Oil Stadium ahead of their Week 8 matchup with the Denver Broncos.