Indianapolis Colts: 5 More Things to Watch for at Camp
By Evan Reller
Oct 20, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) reacts with wide receiver Reggie Wayne (87) during the game against the Denver Broncos at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Injuries
There have already been a number of injuries across the league. Expect at least a couple Colts players to end up on injured reserve by the end of the preseason. I hate to be all doom and gloom, but that is the simple fact of the NFL.
Hopefully players like Landry and Toler will stay healthy, simply because there isn’t much depth in the secondary. You also might want to affix the label of “Questionable” to those two as it will be apt at some point this season.
But its not all negative, there are also a number of players on offense returning from season ending injuries. Watching how Reggie Wayne and Dwayne Allen reintegrate into the passing attack will be interesting. Wayne is 35 and while a torn ACL isn’t as catastrophic as it used to be, it would unreasonable to expect another 100 catch 1,000 yard season from him.
Allen was showing flashes of greatness before his hip injury. That can be a difficult one to recover from, but if he makes it back, he’ll be a matchup problem on every play.
The offensive line will also get better with Donald Thomas returning from thigh and bicep injuries. Running backs Vick Ballard and Ahmad Bradshaw will be making comebacks as well. Bradshaw helped carry the Colts to a win over the 49ers last season before a neck injury sidelined him. He’s always been dynamic, but injuries keep him on the sideline.
If Bradshaw stays healthy, then the Colts have a nice stable of running backs in 2014. If the bulk of the offense can stay healthy, the Colts will score a ton of points.