INDIANAPOLIS – The rhythm of a game week is in full swing for the Colts as they hit the practice field for a little more than two hours on Tuesday.
For the first time since returning from Anderson, the Colts were back in full pads.
Here are three takeaways from Tuesday's practice/media sessions:
TUESDAY TAKEAWAYS
- With the full pads back on Tuesday, some key guys returned to practice. Jerrell Freeman, who has missed around a week of action, had his thumb wrapped but was practicing with a red jersey on.
At receiver, Reggie Wayne joined his pass catchers on Tuesday. Chuck Pagano would say following practice that Wayne remains a "game-time decision" for Saturday night. T.Y. Hilton was back practicing for a second straight day. Hilton was fielding punts during the open media portion of practice.
- Ryan Grigson met the media on Tuesday morning and said that Delano Howell is still talking to specialists about his neck injury. If Howell is out for a period of time, he's already missed the last week of practice, then that changes the makeup of the Colts starting secondary.
Veteran Mike Adams got the start for Howell on Saturday night. Guys known more for what they do on special teams, Sergio Brown and Colt Anderson, are also very much in the mix at safety next to LaRon Landry. Adams played the most snaps of any Broncos defender in last year's Super Bowl and now he's running with the Colts first team a little more than two months after joining the team.
- One player that knows something about neck injuries is Ahmad Bradshaw. The veteran running back has yet to make his preseason debut, but is back with a blue jersey on at practice after donning a red one for nearly all of Training Camp.
Pagano isn't committing this early in the week to any guys like Bradshaw, Wayne or Robert Mathis playing this weekend. The coaches know that these guys have proven themselves at the highest of levels. If we don't see them on Saturday, the Colts will, in all likelihood, head into Denver with some uncertainty on a pair of their key skill guys.
INJURY REPORT/ROSTER MOVES
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The following players were not seen, or did not appear to be participating, during the media portion of Tuesday's practice: Khaled Holmes (ankle), Xavier Nixon (knee), Josh McNary, Ulrick John (leg), Delano Howell (neck), Montori Hughes and David Sims.
PAGANO QUOTEWORTHY
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Chuck Pagano on how good of a test the Saints will be this Saturday:
"It's going to be a great barometer to see just how far we've come defensively. We're off to a good start defensively. When you look at the numbers from the first two ball games, certainly we weren't satisfied with how we finished the game last week, but it will be a great barometer. Again, these guys, the numbers speak for themselves. Our guys are excited. Game week preparation, a little bit of game planning going on, those types of things. From an individual standpoint, position standpoint and then collectively as a unit, those guys are all excited to play an outstanding team, an outstanding offensive unit and see exactly where we're at."
PLAYER QUOTE OF THE DAY
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Ahmad Bradshaw on if he needs to play this preseason:
"I don't feel like I need to, but I want to. There's just something about getting out there and feeling the pace of the game and just getting back with the guys letting them know I still have it, can make plays and help this team."
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PLAYER TWEET OF THE DAY
Extremely hot day today. The hottest day of camp by far. Know what that means. Cold Tub Shawty. Haha #BLEEDBLUE — TY Hilton (@TYHilton13) August 19, 2014
YESTERDAY'S TRIVIA QUIZ
Peyton Manning played in 141 wins in his regular-season career with the Colts. Who are the three Colts tied for the second-most regular-season wins in franchise history and what is the number in which they played?
ANSWER: John Unitas, Jeff Saturday and Reggie Wayne all played in 132 regular-season wins with the Colts.
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUIZ
Seven players in Colts history have been voted to six or more consecutive Pro Bowls. Name as many as possible, along with the one with the longest overall streak. See the next Colts Camp Notebook for the answer.
CAMP SCHEDULE
The Colts will have the same practice schedule on Wednesday before going a little earlier on Thursday morning. Friday will be a walk-through with the Saints and Colts kicking off at 8:00 p.m. EST on Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium.
