ORLOVSKY TO TAKE REINS

INDIANAPOLIS – When Indianapolis takes the field on Sunday at Gillette Stadium against New England, seventh-year pro Dan Orlovsky will be the starting quarterback.

Orlovsky was named the starter today by Head Coach Jim Caldwell.

“Dan Orlovsky will (start this week at New England),” said Caldwell. “He’s been working at it and getting himself ready. … I think he’s a guy that certainly is comfortable within the framework of the system. I think he is a guy that’s also been around the league a while. He’s able to adjust and adapt to different systemic problems that you may have or see from a defense. He can adjust to those very easily. He has a nice, strong arm. We’re anticipating he’s going to be accurate as well, that’s key. The big is, obviously, to stay away from turnovers. He’s got to play smart and not scared.

“We will do adjustments according to his strengths. That’s one of the things you have to look at certainly have to evaluate. What we’ll do is let him do the things he does well within the framework of our offensive system.”

Orlovsky joined Indianapolis as a free agent on July 30, then was waived when the club reduced its roster to 53 players. Orlovsky re-joined the Colts on September 28, after a season-ending injury to veteran starting quarterback Kerry Collins.

Orlovsky has seen action in reserve duty against New Orleans, Atlanta and Jacksonville, completing 14-of-21 passes for 122 yards. All action came in relief of Curtis Painter, who has started since week four for Collins. Collins suffered a concussion against Pittsburgh on September 25 against Pittsburgh and is on injured reserve.

Orlovsky (6-5, 230) originally was a fifth-round pick by Detroit in the 2005 draft. He saw action in two games that year as a reserve, completing seven-of-17 passes for 63 yards. Orlovsky started seven of 10 appearances in 2008. He completed 143-of-255 passes for 1,616 yards with eight touchdowns and interceptions. After departing from Detroit, he signed with Houston in 2010. He saw action in one game as a reserve, but did not throw a pass.