Vick Ballard is Definitely Ready to Be Back

If everything goes according to plan, Indianapolis Colts running back Vick Ballard will make his highly anticipated comeback in Saturday night’s preseason game against the Chicago Bears.

May 29, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Vick Ballard (33) stands on the sidelines during organized team activities at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The 4th-year running back has essentially lost the last two seasons because of two consecutive season-ending injuries with an ACL tear in 2013 and a torn Achilles suffered just last season.

In fact, looking back, Ballard’s last game was against the Oakland Raiders in the 2013 regular season opener on September 8, 2013.

There’s no question his 1st live game action will definitely be a “long time coming” for the 25 year old running back. Having missed so much game action and spent so much time rehabbing, Ballard is just looking forward to finally playing football again:

"“That’s exactly how I feel, so all of my responses right now are all kind of real light,” said Ballard today when asked if he was tired of discussing his injuries and status."

When questioned if he was excited to be so close to returning to the field, Ballard didn’t hesitate in his response in what’s assuredly been a grueling rehabilitation process the last two seasons:

"“Definitely. Coach P (Pagano) let me break the huddle down today, so that was a great feeling for me,” said Ballard. “Those are the types of things that kind of kept me going. Sometimes, you just like to lay in bed and question it all. Now, I’m thinking about me breaking the huddle down at the end of practice.”"

He’s not alone in his excitement, as his quarterback Andrew Luck didn’t hesitate in praising the young running back, a player who started all 16 games for the Colts in 2012 as the team’s leading rusher with 814 total rushing yards during both of their rookie seasons. When asked, #12 was clearly excited in having his backfield partner in crime back:

"“He’s such a warrior, man,” said Andrew Luck today. “He just does everything right. He’s not a good teammate, but a great teammate. Seeing him out on the practice field, there’s great memories of playing together. Rookie year and some clutch plays. He blocks like Frank Gore. Gets up there and hits people.”“He’s a stud, so if he can get out there, great,” concluded Luck. “If not, I’m sure that time will come when he is, and he’ll be 100% and ready to go.”"

Like Luck, Colts fans will clearly be glad to see Ballard back in action. After a promising rookie campaign, the young running back ran into some unfortunate luck with injuries, but has worked tremendously hard in getting back to the field.

With his return so seemingly close, here’s hoping that hard work finally gets to pay off.

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