Indianapolis Colts

New Colts LB Irving being patient with rehab

Published Jun. 23, 2015 4:34 p.m. ET

foxsports

Nate Irving wanted to be out on the practice field with his new teammates during the Indianapolis Colts' offseason program. But the linebacker, who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season while playing for the Denver Broncos, knows the most important thing this time of year is to make sure he's healthy and ready to contribute.

“I have to remember that there’s so much more I have to do, so I have to pull myself back in from being too anxious and thinking too far ahead,” Irving said, via the team's official website. “I don’t want to go out there and be slopping through it and guys are like, ‘Ew, why did we even bring this guy here?’ I want to go out there with my best so I can do my best and they can see what I can do.”

Irving signed a three-year contract with the Colts in March. The 28-year-old started eight game for the Broncos last year before injuring his knee.

“He’s ahead of schedule as far as the rehab goes,” head coach Chuck Pagano said of Irving. “He’ll stay here the entire time and continue his rehabilitation process. The docs and the trainers are optimistic that there’s a possibility that by August 1 he might be ready to get back in the fold and do some things, but it’s not 100 percent.

His coach might not be completely certain he'll be ready by August, but Irving, who will add depth at middle linebacker when he returns, doesn't have any doubts.

“Hell yeah, I’ll be ready,” Irving said.

(h/t Indianapolis Colts)

Photo credit: Chris Humphreys/USA TODAY Sports