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Robert Mathis: The Battlefield General Returns

By Dave McKee

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Robert Mathis passed his physical and has rejoined his Colts teammates on the practice field. Meanwhile all across the NFL, offensive coordinators shudder with fear.

Robert Mathis had not been able to practice for nearly a year, but the count stops at 357 days. Robert Mathis joined his teammates in practice on Tuesday. The past year has been a tumultuous journey full of emotional highs and lows for Mathis.

First came a 4-game suspension for PED’s tied to successful fertility treatments and then the injury came while training away from the Colts facility. Finally Mathis has been removed from the PUP list and after passing his physical is back to active duty.

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It has been a difficult journey, but that journey is now over. Mathis has returned. The last time the conquering hero was on the field he produced 19.5 sacks and won the inaugural Deacon Jones Award.

As I said a month ago about his impending return, “He is the leader of the Colts’ defense and is a field general who cannot stand by and watch his fellow warriors go into the fray without him.” Even Mathis’ teammates see him as their general, this was best illustrated by fellow linebackers Daniel Adongo and Bjoern Werner‘s gift to Mathis last year, a suit of Spartan armor.

After all that time away dealing with the frustration of watching the battles in the trenches from the sidelines had to have overwhelmed him. But to return to the field, what was that like for the Colts’ defensive captain?

Mike Wells of ESPN.com asked Robert Mathis how it felt to return to the field. Per Wells:

"“It felt awesome,” Mathis said after practice. “It’s been a long time. Felt like a rookie again. Had butterflies, nervous. It was definitely worth it. The toughest part was waiting. Just taking it one day at a time. Doing the little things and just happy to get out there.”"

The Colts will remain cautious with Mathis making sure to ease him back into the rotation. There is no rush.

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The first five games on the Colts schedule all feature teams without a prolific passing threat. There will be time to ease Robert Mathis back into the rotation and get back up to game-speed.

The five quarterbacks the Colts will be facing are Tyrod Taylor – Buffalo Bills; Ryan Fitzpatrick – New York Jets; Marcus Mariota – Tennessee Titans; Blake Bortles – Jacksonville Jaguars; and Brian Hoyer – Houston Texans.

The first true test for Mathis and the Colts will come week six when they host the New England Patriots. With all the story lines wrapped around that matchup, Mathis’ return could be easily overlooked, that until he makes his signature impact.

Robert Mathis, the field general, has returned as a conquering hero recovered from his wounds and ready to do battle once again in 2015.

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