INDIANAPOLIS – The Colts are playing their third AFC South team of the season in Week 10.
As a 10.5-point favorite, the Colts (4-5) are hosting the Jaguars (2-6) Sunday afternoon as Indianapolis closes out a three-game homestand.
Here are some takeaways from the Colts on Wednesday:
- Carson Wentz and his wife are expecting child No. 2 soon. Don’t worry, Colts fans, for those wondering if Wentz could miss a game for this birth, that won’t be happening. Wentz said he told his wife that he will be playing in a game, if this new baby decides to come on a Sunday. After talking with his wife and Frank Reich, Wentz reassured all parties that any football game will come first.
- When Carson Wentz became a Colt, we wrote extensively about how much of a weapon the RPO game would be for the Colts. It’s been a huge part of the Colts offense, especially with them being better in the red zone, thanks to Wentz’s health improving. Wentz loves the RPOs. Interestingly enough, first-year Colts running backs coach Scottie Montgomery is someone Reich sought out after last season to get more intel in the RPO usage from the college game, where Montgomery had worked extensively. This was before then running backs coach Tom Rathman retired from his post. So, Reich dialed Montgomery back up to see if he wanted to be the new RB coach in Indy. With Montgomery’s mind and Wentz operating things, the Colts have tapped into a piece of their offense that wasn’t there last season.
- T.Y. Hilton (concussion) took an important step in playing this week by participating in Wednesday’s practice. With guys trying to progress through the concussion protocol, practicing on a Wednesday is often a good indicator that they will be ready for that Sunday’s game. With a neck injury and this concussion, Hilton has played in just 2 games this season, catching 6 balls for 96 yards.
- Braden Smith (elbow) did not practice on Wednesday, but Frank Reich is ‘fairly optimistic’ that they will have their right tackle on Sunday. Smith left last Thursday’s win over the Jets with an injury that was originally thought to be in the triceps area. We’ll see how this plays out, but it does appear to be good news on Smith avoiding a serious injury.
- With Rodrigo Blankenship still working through his hip injury, Michael Badgley will be the Colts kicker for a 5th straight game. The Colts have not had a final conversation on who will kick when Hot Rod returns to full health, but Reich says the thought of riding the hot foot has entered his mind. In 2021, Badgley is 4-of-4 on field goals and 17-of-17 on extra points. Blankenship is 7-of-8 on field goals and 11-of-14 on extra points. Reich said that he thinks both kickers have similar distance range, with Badgley yet to attempt a kick of longer than 50 yards in Indianapolis.
- Colts veteran defensive back T.J. Carrie (knee) has been designated to return from injured reserve. Carrie has been out since mid-September, so the Colts plan is to have him practice 2 of 3 days this week. When Carrie is back, he can add needed depth, at multiple spots, in the secondary. Carrie’s return is important given the state of the secondary entering the final two months of the season.
- Cornerback Xavier Rhodes (calf) did not appear to be practicing on Wednesday. Rhodes has battled a calf injury this season with his status up in the air right now.
- The Colts are back on their normal practice schedule this week (Wednesday-Friday). They’ll have a Saturday walk-through before Sunday’s 1:00 PM kickoff inside of Lucas Oil Stadium.
