The Colts are heading into their preseason finale with a few encouraging injury updates, and the biggest one involves Alec Pierce.
After spending all of training camp on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list following March surgery on his left ankle/heel, Pierce is finally moving in the right direction. He still wasn’t on the field Tuesday, but Shane Steichen sounded optimistic about what comes next.
“He will not practice today (Tuesday), but he is in a really good spot. He's in a really good spot,” Steichen said.
When asked whether Pierce could get back on the practice field later this week, Steichen added, “Yeah, hopefully. Hopefully, yeah.”
Steichen also pushed back on the idea that the Colts have already had any conversations about keeping Pierce on PUP into the regular season. If that happened, Pierce would miss the first four games, but for now that discussion hasn’t started.
“We haven't had those conversations yet. We have not.”
Charvarius Ward Sr. gave the Colts another lift on Tuesday by returning to practice after missing the final five sessions of camp with a back issue. That stretch included the three joint practices against the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons, so getting him back on the field, even in a limited capacity, matters.
“Mooney (Ward) is doing good," Steichen said. "He'll be back in practice today (Tuesday). He'll go through some individual stuff, so he's in a good spot.”
Ward worked through positional drills, and the Colts plan to build him back up gradually before he gets into 11-on-11 work.
Tyler Warren remains in a more cautious lane. The tight end exited the second-to-last practice of camp early because of a groin injury and has not practiced since. Steichen said the team will be careful with him this week.
“We're going to be pretty smart with Tyler this week, so we'll see," Steichen said. "He might be out all week, but we've got to get him ready for Week 1.”
That makes it unlikely Warren plays in Saturday’s preseason game against the Detroit Lions, though a return to practice next week is possible if everything goes well.
Anthony Gould is also working back from a groin injury after missing the last four practices. Steichen said he should be back this week, though likely with limitations.
“Gould will be limited at some point,” Steichen said.
His absence has opened the door for others to make a push in the return game, with Coleman Owen, Ashton Dulin, Seth McGowan, and Deion Burks all getting a chance to pressure his roster spot.
DJ Giddens, meanwhile, is back in the mix. After sitting out six straight practices late in camp with a hamstring issue and then easing back in with only positional work, he was fully involved Tuesday and took part in 11-on-11s after Steichen said, "DJ Giddens will be back in there."
Jalen Farmer was also on the field, though not at full speed. He missed last Saturday’s game against the Falcons and has been dealing with a knee injury that has followed him since mandatory minicamp in the spring.
“He's dealing with a knee," Steichen said. "He's dealing with a knee, but he's been progressing well.”
Will Mallory is another name to watch. He was one of the bright spots of camp and played well in the first preseason game, but he sat out Saturday’s game and was later seen wearing a sleeve on his hand. Steichen said the issue is with his thumb.
“He's got a thumb, so he's going to be out for a little bit,” Steichen said.
When asked whether Mallory could miss Week 1, Steichen replied, “Yeah, potentially. It's right in that range,”
The Colts also had a handful of players missing from Tuesday’s practice to start the day, including Pierce, Josh Downs, Anthony Gould, D.J. Montgomery, Warren, Mallory, Johnathan Edwards, and A.J.
Haulcy. Returning to work were Ulysses Bentley IV, Luke Tenuta, Nolan Rucci, and Ward as Indianapolis continues ramping up for its final preseason test at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday.
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