Indianapolis Colts

Colts coach Chuck Pagano offers updates on injuries and cuts

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano had his first press conference of the regular season this afternoon. He gave some updates on various injuries as well as some insight on why certain players were cut this weekend.

The season opener is just days away and coach Chuck Pagano held his first press conference following Saturday’s cuts. He offered up some minor insights as to why some players did or did not make the 53-man roster.

Pagano opened by shedding some information on some of the cuts over the weekend. He started with the decision to let Nate Irving walk. Much of the decision had to do with ability on special teams as players like Josh McNary and Antonio Morrison have shown value with this unit. Pagano implied one of those two might start if Sio Moore (who was sitting out practice on Monday) can’t play.

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Pagano also mentioned that quarterback Stephen Morris was kept on the active roster because he had improved so much over the preseason. He might also be a spot holder who can easily be let go if someone else becomes available this week. The Colts might not be feeling all that confident in the offensive line and are keeping an insurance policy on the roster at QB in case Andrew Luck gets beat up again.

The decision to let second year corner D’Joun Smith go apparently had to do with availability. Smith missed the vast majority of his rookie year and was never healthy during camp, making it awfully difficult to evaluate him. Pagano insisted that”we’ll hear from him again” and has praised Smith’s prowess in the past.

Other notable injury updates came from practice where Henry Anderson (knee) and Clayton Geathers (foot) were both working, but in limited fashion. It seems doubtful that either would be ready to play by Sunday. Neither will probably play Sunday, per Pagano, but both have made considerable progress and will be back “sooner than later.”

Cornerback Patrick Robinson (groin) was also back on the field and appeared to be a full go. Not participating were cornerback Darius Butler (ankle) and defensive end Kendall Langford (knee). Pagano said he would be shocked if Langford didn’t play though, even going with the cliche of “betting on him.” He was hopeful that Butler would be back at practice by Wednesday.

On the offensive line, Pagano didn’t rule out Jack Mewhort but it is unlikely he will suit up. Jon Harrison has been taking reps at left guard in Mewhort’s place. Rookie Joe Haeg was limited today, and Pagano was hopeful he’d be back in the full workout on Wednesday or Thursday. Right tackle Joe Reitz confirmed that he will play this Sunday.

We’ll have more updates on these injuries later in the week. The official injury report will be released Wednesday afternoon.

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