INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts could be getting some of their injured players back at practice as early as Tuesday.
Coach Chuck Pagano is optimistic that offensive linemen Joe Haeg and Denzelle Good, defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, wide receiver Phillip Dorsett and running back Marlon Mack will practice in the coming days.
That’s good news for the Colts because they’ve been ravaged by injuries throughout training camp. And it’s good for some players because it sounds like being injured won’t be used as an excuse when it comes to roster cuts.
“It is what it is,” coach Chuck Pagano said. “I don’t think anybody should be comfortable right now.”
The Colts have routinely talked about having competition for roster spots. That’s hard to accomplish when you’re consistently dealing with injuries. Besides Haeg, Good, Hankins, Dorsett and Mack, the Colts are also dealing with injuries to receiver Donte Moncrief, quarterback Andrew Luck, tight end Erik Swoope, cornerback Darryl Morris, safety Clayton Geathers and cornerback Rashaan Melvin.
Dorsett's injury situation in particular is worth keeping an eye on over the next couple of weeks because he just hasn’t been able to stay healthy. The 2015 first-round pick was limited in offseason workouts and is currently dealing with a hamstring problem. Dorsett’s absence has allowed players such as Chester Rogers, Kamar Aiken and Bug Howard to get more snaps and push for the third, fourth and fifth receiver spots behind T.Y. Hilton and Moncrief.
“You want all those (injured) guys out there,” Pagano said. “But when they’re not, it’s somebody else’s opportunity. If I’m those other guys, I’m taking full advantage of every snap that I get.
"At some point, we’ve got to get to 53 (players), and those 53 are going to be tough, smart, great competitors and they’re going to be available. They’ve got to practice.”
