After tantalizing fans for months on end this offseason, the Indianapolis Colts resolved their left tackle conundrum this week when they signed free agent Eric Fisher to a one-year, $9.4 million contract, locking him in as the starter for next season.
The former No. 1 overall pick is coming off a torn Achilles he suffered in January, just months before he was released by the Chiefs, and it remains to be seen when he’ll be cleared to resume football activities.
While all reports suggest Fisher is right on schedule with his rehab, former Colts punter Pat McAfee provided some insight into the eight-year pro’s recovery timeline.
In the latest episode of his self-titled show, a source close to McAfee revealed Indy won’t rush Fisher back, citing the long season and added game to the schedule as obvious reasons to play this as safely and cautiously as humanly possible.
Former 1st overall pick & Pro Bowl LT Eric Fisher is signing with the #Colts
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 10, 2021
I texted MY SOURCE to see if he would be ready to start the season: "We'll see & we will not rush him. LONG season especially with the added game" #PatMcAfeeShowLIVE pic.twitter.com/zvR7X6CSht
Former Colts punter Pat McAfee shared some insight on LT Eric Fisher’s recovery timeline.
In a perfect world, Fisher would be a full go for Week 1, but that simply isn’t in the realm of possibility given he’s coming off a major injury. What fans should be rooting for is a setback-free rehab and for him to reenter the fold as the starting left tackle a few weeks into the season.
It seems like Indianapolis is hopeful that Fisher will be fully recovered from surgery leading right up to the start of the regular season, but it’s understandable why they’ve opted against putting a hard date on his return timetable. At this point, there’s just know way to know for sure.
In the meantime, however, it looks as though offseason acquisitions Sam Tevi and Julie’n Davenport will compete for the starting job. That concept probably won’t thrill fans, but they’re significantly better than the backup tackle options the Colts had on the roster last year.
With a full offseason to get acclimated to the playbook, Tevi and Davenport should be pretty serviceable protecting Carson Wentz’s blindside while Fisher works his way back.
Told Eric Fisher's "in a good spot" with his rehab. Colts won't rush the Achilles, but the thinking is he'll be back late in training camp/early September. Sam Tevi and Julién Davenport are two offseason signings that will compete at the position in the meantime.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) May 10, 2021
Not having him available for Week 1 was always going to be the one pitfall of signing Fisher, but the Colts clearing him medically should be enough for fans to endorse the move.
After all, assuming the two-time Pro Bowler makes a full recovery and returns a month or so into the season, Indianapolis will have the luxury of adding one of the most dominant left tackles in the league to their already-formidable offensive line.
Again, we hear fans who despise the idea of signing a 30-year-old lineman who’s coming off a major injury. However, as long as Fisher doesn’t suffer a setback, this move has the potential to be one of the biggest bargains of the offseason.
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