Robert Mathis: Still No Timetable For Return
By Evan Reller
The Indianapolis Colts are still waiting to get the all-clear from the doctors to put outside linebacker Robert Mathis back on the field. The Colts players will report to Anderson, Ind. on Saturday for the start of training camp, but Mathis likely won’t be suiting up with his teammates in the next couple weeks.
Speaking to Zak Keefer at the IndyStar, team owner Jim Irsay stated that they currently don’t a time table for the talented pass rusher to get back to work.
"The good news is Robert is trending in the right direction,” Irsay said. “We’re all very excited and pleased with the progress that he’s making. The timetable is unknown. Will it be October 15? Will it be September 15? I really, at this point, no one knows.”"
This isn’t exactly anything new for the team or fans. Irsay said earlier this year that Mathis could be out until November, but that was a worst case scenario.
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After leading the league in sacks with 19.5 in 2013, Mathis was suspended for four games in 2014 for violating the league’s performance enhancing drug policy. While serving his suspension, Mathis tore his achilles tendon during a training session.
There were rumors that Mathis suffered a setback in his recovery (confirmed by Mathis earlier this summer) which leads credence to reports that he underwent a second procedure on his leg in late November or early December of 2014.
Irsay and the front office are hoping he can get back on the field soon, and Mathis promised that he’d be ready by opening day, Sept. 16. The Colts are planning to err on the cautious side with Mathis, and not rush him back to the field. Thankfully the team signed Trent Cole to help fill the pass rush void while Mathis recovers.
"“We just want to make sure that he’s ready-ready when it’s time to go,” Irsay added Monday. “He can come in, have a couple of years with us at this point in his career, and be the difference-maker he was.“We’re really excited about the prospect. Really, it’s only been good news.”"
Getting Mathis back on the field would be a huge boost to a defense struggled to get sacks without blitzing. However this is a tough injury to recover from for someone his age and Colts fans shouldn’t expect to get 2013 Mathis back.
We’ll have more on Mathis as training camp and the preseason progresses.