The Colts signed Eric Fisher knowing he might not be ready to resume his career until October, and the Pro Bowl left tackle’s recent placement on the reserve/COVID-19 list further complicated his comeback. But a return could still commence Sunday.
Fisher is off Indianapolis’ coronavirus list and practicing Wednesday in a limited capacity, marking his first practice as a Colt. The team did not place Fisher on its reserve/PUP list, despite the ninth-year veteran spending the preseason on Indy’s active/PUP list. A PUP designation to start the regular season would have meant a six-game absence. The way it’s going, Fisher stands to beat that timetable by a wide margin.
“I look at him and think, man, he looks ready to go, but he hasn’t done anything in 10 days. We’re going to figure that out over the next couple of days,” Frank Reich said (via the Indianapolis Star’s Joel Erickson) of Fisher’s status. “… I think what I want to be guilty of, is, ‘Let’s push it. We can pull him back. Let’s try to get him ready now; let’s try to get him ready to play this week.’ Maybe that’s not realistic, but let’s try, and we can always pull him back.”
This would be a boon for a Colts team that has sustained injuries on its offensive front. Quenton Nelson recovered from foot surgery but is currently battling a back injury. And potential Fisher stopgap Sam Tevi is out for the season. The Colts have Julie’n Davenport and guard/tackle Matt Pryor as starting options in the even Fisher is not ready for Sunday’s Seahawks tilt.
Fisher, 30, suffered a torn Achilles in the AFC championship game, setting the Chiefs on course for a disastrous blocking effort in Super Bowl LV. While core-muscle surgery interfered with his 2019 season, Fisher has otherwise stayed healthy throughout his career. The former No. 1 overall pick started every game at left tackle for Kansas City from 2014-18.
It’ll tough to get back into football shape after that major an injury, switching teams and learning a new style with different teammates, and then missing time with COVID, all before the start of the season. Not only that, but one of his fellow linemen and his signal caller (who is also new to the team and that line) missed significant time, which are guys he could have otherwise leaned on more. Hopefully for Indianapolis Fisher is ready to go and is 100% for game day, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him knock off some rust in the early part of the season.
Who else is new to the line?
I believe he is referring to Reed who may start over nelson while he is injured along with Carson Wentz being the QB.
I was, yes. I was primarily referring to Wentz being new, but also anyone who may start in the place of Nelson in case he ends up not going (which it looks that he is still out of practice, so he may not).
Sorry to not make more clear.
AK- Who else is new to the line?
Apologies for the double post.
I answered above too, and no worries. Wentz is the new person, but in the case that Nelson doesn’t end up going (again, it looks like he may or may not go), someone new will be there.