INDIANAPOLIS — After a few valuable days away, the Indianapolis Colts got back to the grind on Monday.
The team held its first post-bye week practice as it begins preparations for this Sunday's Week 10 matchup against the defending AFC South Division champion Jacksonville Jaguars (3-5) at Lucas Oil Stadium.
"Good, relaxing week," Colts head coach Frank Reich said Monday. "Chance to unplug a little bit for the players."
The few days of rest not only helped the Colts players recoup from the mental grind of the season, but they also helped several players who have been battling various nicks and bruises get in better shape for the second half of the year.
In fact, the Colts (3-5) saw the return of two players who had missed some time in recent weeks with injuries: safety Malik Hooker and running back Robert Turbin.
Hooker missed the Colts' last game, their Week 8 victory over the Oakland Raiders, with a hip injury, while Turbin has missed the last two games after suffering a shoulder injury Week 6 against the New York Jets.
Those who have been battling prior injuries and were not at the early portion of practice available to be seen by the media on Monday included wide receiver Ryan Grant (ankle), safety Mike Mitchell (calf), and tight end Erik Swoope (knee).
Cornerback Nate Hairston, running back Marlon Mack and right tackle Braden Smith, meanwhile, were non-participants and/or working off to the side with team trainers on Monday.
Reich told reporters after the day's practice session that the team will issue its first injury report for the week after Wednesday's practice.
Lewis, Haeg update
With the season now past its midway point, there will be more and more news across the league about players having the chance to return from injured reserve.
That's no different for the Colts, who have already brought back defensive tackle/end Tyquan Lewis to practice, while their second return-from-IR spot remains in the air.
Once a player returns to practice from IR, the team faces a 21-day window to decide whether or not to add them to the active roster, or revert them to IR for the rest of the season. The Colts' window on the 2018 second-round pick Lewis will close by the end of this week, though by all accounts the team has been pleased with his progress.
Reich on Monday didn't rule out the possibility of Lewis even being on the active roster by Sunday's game against the Jaguars. General manager Chris Ballard last week had said it was possible if the team decided to activate Lewis, he'd likely be ready to go by the Week 11 game against the Tennessee Titans.
Another possible candidate for the return-from-IR list continues working towards a possible comeback, meanwhile.
Tackle/guard Joe Haeg, who suffered an ankle injury Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles and was placed on IR, is "getting close" to the point where he can possibly return to practice and see if he can find his way back to the active roster, Reich said.
As with any return-from-IR moves, the players can practice during that 21-day window with no related roster moves required, but if the team decides to bring them back to the active roster, it must make room for them.
