Indianapolis Colts Robert Mathis Return Still Uncertain

According to Colts.com’s Kevin Bowen, the timetable for the return of Indianapolis Colts pass rusher Robert Mathis is still unclear. The 34-year old outside linebacker is still rehabilitating from a torn achilles he suffered early last season, while serving his 4-game PED suspension.

Oct 6, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Robert Mathis (98) walks off the field after the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts won 34-28. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

While it’s been speculated that Mathis has actually suffered a setback, his agent has refuted such a notion. Mathis has publicly stated that he plans to be ready by training camp; however, it will be interesting to see if that’s overly optimistic on his end. The worst case speculated scenario at this juncture has been that he’ll return in November per owner Jim Irsay, but the Colts will be hoping that he’s ready to go much sooner.

The good news is that Mathis is just one season removed from a 19.5 sack season in 2013. If he can regain close to his prior form, Mathis figures to join recently signed veteran Trent Cole and emerging 2nd-year pass rusher Jonathan Newsome, in what figures to be a significantly upgraded Colts pass rush.

Still, there are obvious questions that remain. Not only is Mathis now 34 years old, but he’s coming off a fairly significant injury for a position that requires a great deal of explosiveness to be effective. There’s also some lingering questions, fair or unfair, of whether Mathis was indeed taking a fertility drug on behalf of his wife’s attempted pregnancy, or whether he was actually using performance enhancing drugs for other misguided on-the-field notions.

Either way, a fully healthy Mathis should make the Colts a much better team in the pass rushing department, even if he’s lost a half a step. At this point, it’s just when that return will actually be. The Colts and Mathis continue to hope for training camp, while a return in November certainly can’t be ruled out either.

Here’s hoping it’s closer to the former.

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