Colts open camp with two defensive starters injured
By Evan Reller
The Indianapolis Colts reported to Anderson, Ind. for the first official day of training camp. Four players of note will open up camp on either the physically unable to perform or non-football injury list.
***Update***
News on Geathers indicates that he has a broken bone in his foot, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport:
#Colts S Clayton Geathers is non-football injury list because of a broken bone in his foot, I'm told. Team hopeful he's back by Week 1.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 26, 2016
As the Colts reported to Anderson University, we got the first bits of injury news of a few key players.
As expected, second year defensive end Henry Anderson will start out the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Anderson tore his ACL last November in the Colts win against the Broncos (a game that proved costly and ultimately may have cost the team a playoff spot).
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Prior to his injury, Anderson was making a case for Defensive Rookie of the Year and was invaluable to the team’s defensive line. He finished with 37 tackles, five for a lost, and one sack last season. If, and when, Anderson returns, he will round out what could be the best unit on the Colts’ roster.
Joining Anderson on the PUP list is rookie tight end Darion Griswold. The undrafted free agent totaled 65 receptions for 892 yards and nine touchdowns while appearing in 50 games at Arkansas State. The Colts are looking for a third tight end to take into the season, and he will have a shot provided he can get healthy before the next few weeks.
On the non-football injury (NFI) list are second year safety Clayton Geathers and rookie tight end Mike Miller.
Geathers, who was the presumptive starter alongside Mike Adams heading into camp, was seen with a walking boot on one foot.
Clayton Geathers is headed to PUP list. I saw him from a distance this morning wearing a boot (i think) on his foot. Source says not serious
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) July 26, 2016
Geathers didn’t get on the field for too many plays on defense, but played well on special teams. Coach Chuck Pagano spoke about building special packages to get Geathers on the field last season, but it rarely happened. For a player making a second year leap to starter this camp is crucial for Geathers’ development as a player especially since the Colts don’t exactly have quality depth at safety.
Miller, another undrafted free agent, hails from Taylor University. In 27 games he racked up 80 receptions for 959 yards and seven touchdowns.
We’ll have more injury updates and news as the coaches start meeting regularly with the media.