Colts Camp: Robert Mathis, Donald Thomas on PUP List
By Evan Reller
The Indianapolis Colts held their first practice of training camp today, but a couple notable players will be held out as they continue to heal from injuries suffered last year.
While it shouldn’t be a big surprise, Robert Mathis is chief among those on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. A player can return at any time from the PUP list while the team is in training camp.
Mathis being held out of practice has been the plan for some time as he continues to recover from an achilles injury suffered during the first week of last season (while he was on suspension due to a PED violation). Team owner Jim Irsay said earlier this year that it could be some time before Mathis returned to the field (even stating it might not be until November).
Coach Chuck Pagano and GM Ryan Grigson have both placed their faith in Mathis’ ability to get back on the field but plan to take it slow with the 13-year veteran. Pagano was asked about his age and the nature of the injury taking an impact on Mathis as he attempts to recover during his pre-practice press conference.
"“I think we would be foolish to not consider all those things,” Pagano said. It would be stupid on our part to say, ‘Ok, you’re healthy, you’re good. We just have to stick to the process and be patient. Everybody’s champing at the bit. You guys are chomping at the bit. He’s champing at the bit. We’re champing at the bit. The position coach is champing at the bit.“Slow down. We’ve got a long way to go. It’s a long season.”"
Joining Mathis on the PUP list is guard Donald Thomas who is still recovering from a quad injury suffered during training camp last year. Thomas was signed in 2013, but tore the quad in Week 2 that same season. He then re-injured the muscle during a scrimmage in 2014.
There was a thought that running back Vick Ballard and newly signed linebacker Nate Irving could also open camp on the PUP list, but that wasn’t the case. Both are cleared for practice but the coaches made it clear they would be cautious with both players.