Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Greg Manusky said at this Thursday press conference that the team’s veteran pass rusher Robert Mathis is “looking good”:
"“I’m just telling you right now, he looks real good,” said Manusky. “He’s got juice. He’s got spark. He’s got fresh legs. He’s moving around, and he’s looking good.”“Is he in football shape? I’d say he looks pretty dang close,” added Manusky. “Robert knows what it takes to play a decent amount of snaps in a football game, but he’s doing good. He looks good.”“From a knowledge standpoint, I think he’s kept his mind into it and has been for the last couple of months,” concluded Manusky. “So, he’s kind of just picked up where he kind of left off in that 2013 season.”"
It coincides with an earlier report from Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star, in which Mathis said he could be utilized as a situational pass rusher–albeit in a limited role, this Sunday against the Buffalo Bills in the team’s regular season opener:
"“We have a mutual decision and there’s a plan in place,” Mathis said via Holder. “We just have to follow it and make the best of everything.”He (Mathis) was later asked whether we’d all just have to wait and find out if he makes an appearance, and he again flashed that devilish smile and said, “Sounds about right,” wrote Holder."
Of course, Mathis has maintained all offseason long that he’d be ready for the team’s regular season opener after rehabilitating from a season-ending torn Achilles suffered last season.
While he’d likely never publicly admit it, playing on Sunday would probably provide him a great deal of satisfaction in proving the critics wrong. However, that’s nothing new for the former 2003 5th round pick out of unheralded Alabama A&M, who’s gone on to become the Colts franchise’s all-time sack leader with 111 career sacks.
Even playing in a limited capacity on purely passing downs, the 13-year veteran’s speed and pass rushing prowess could make the life of unproven Bills starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor all the more difficult.
If nothing else, Mathis appears close to returning to gametime action.
Real close.
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