INDIANAPOLIS – One of many sayings related to football players is, 'Football players play football.'
Safety LaRon Landry has been slowed through the first two preseason games with a knee ailment.
On Wednesday, he walked out at the start of practice with his teammates. Those were the first steps toward Colts fans seeing the hard-hitting safety in action.
If possible, Landry would want that to be Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
"I want to play in preseason games just to get my steps right, just to see the feeling out there," said Landry this week. "I have gone into seasons before not playing preseason games and going into the opener.
"I've learned it's best for me to test the waters out a little bit just to see where I am. I'm not going to push an injury that's not ready either."
The March addition of Landry as an unrestricted free agent was one of the biggest splashes among many made by Ryan Grigson.
In the club's Indianapolis era, only Bob Sanders made the Pro Bowl (2005, 2007) from the free safety position, an honor earned by Landry last year with the New York Jets.
Relegated to rehabilitation and spectating, Landry said it is "100 percent accurate" that that status is tough for an athlete.
"It's the worst feeling as an athlete (and) competitor," said Landry. "Just being on the side, you know your ability. You know what you're capable of doing. You know how you can make a difference. You know how you can help your team.
"You just have to go through the proper steps so you can sustain a full season and not just show glimpses and then be back out injured and start the ball back over again of rehabbing. It definitely (stinks). This is a time you need to be mentally strong and get mental reps within the game."
Chuck Pagano on Tuesday would not commit to whether Landry would play Saturday against Cleveland. Greg Manusky reiterated Wednesday Landry is being monitored closely.
"We're hoping we can get him out there and play with the first group," said Manusky. "Right now, we'll take it day-by-day. If he's up, we're ready to get him out there and get him a decent amount of snaps."
Measuring long-term best interests against work this weekend is a looming decision. Pagano is satisfied that Landry's background in a similar scheme will speed the transition to the field.
Manusky agrees and would not mind seeing Landry work a little just to help the secondary gel.
Landry and cornerback Greg Toler are newcomers, and they will be paired in the secondary with Antoine Bethea, a former Pro Bowler, and Vontae Davis. Davis was a big-time acquisition by Grigson last August.
Saturday would be a prime time for Landry to make his first appearance, at least in his mind.
"I like each and every game. I don't pick and choose which game is greater than the other," said Landry. "I just like being out there to compete. The third game, the starters will be out there predominantly until the third quarter. That's a good time to range and see where I am."
