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Colts GM Ryan Grigson: Gosder Cherilus Has ‘June-ish Return’

By Luke Schultheis

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At his pre-draft press conference today, Indianapolis Colts General Manager Ryan Grigson was asked when the team can expect to see starting right tackle Gosder Cherilus fully healthy and back in action. The 8-year veteran battled several miscellaneous physical ailments last year including a groin injury before being placed on season-ending injured reserve late in the season.

According to Grigson, Cherilus should be back by “June-ish” from the timetable he’s been given by Cherilus representation and his doctors. Grigson had this to say in-full:

"“June, June-ish I think. Hopefully sooner, but that’s kind of where we’re at with him,” said Grigson."

When asked whether Cherilus and his seemingly chronic knee issues would affect if Grigson would decide to target a young offensive tackle in this year’s NFL Draft, Grigson replied:

"“You know, I don’t want to go into detail about a guy’s medical history, but Gos is as tough as they come, and if he’s going to be back and 100%, he has the mindset to do that, there’s no doubt about it and the toughness,” added Grigson. “I just have to see if his body is going to cooperate.”"

Questioned further about whether Cherilus ineffectiveness was purely because of physical injury or as a greater result of a permanent physical decline, Grigson responded:

"“You know in this organization, from the top down including myself, everyone’s got to play at a very high level especially at the tackle position, but there’s a lot of different reasons why a guy can’t be successful and isn’t quite playing at a certain level as he’s capable of,” said Grigson. “But we don’t make excuses, you know, Gos doesn’t.”"

Of course, Grigson isn’t going to show his poker hand to other general managers before the NFL Draft, and rightfully so; however, he didn’t vehemently come out and say, “Gosder is our guy,” either. It sounds like due to Cherilus injuries and ineffectiveness last season that the Colts could seriously kick the tires on an offensive tackle early in this year’s NFL Draft.

Many draft experts have had the Colts selecting an offensive tackle in the 1st round of their mock drafts. While we still believe this is a bit early given the glaring issues on the defensive side of the football, it wouldn’t surprise anyone if the Colts selected an offensive tackle early in this year’s draft to be the long-term successor to Cherilus at starting right tackle.

Cherilus should still be given the benefit of the doubt given all of the physical injuries he battled through last year and even after a solid debut season with the team in 2013; however, his leash should still be kept fairly short. The Colts cannot afford to have him play at the poor level he played at last season, especially when the health of the franchise in #12 is at stake. Here’s hoping that Cherilus can get fully healthy again and back to the player he once was, even if there’s a young offensive tackle being groomed behind him or not.

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