Colts: Eric Fisher potentially returning by Week 2 feels very risky
By Mike Luciano
The Indianapolis Colts got the stuffing beat out of them in the air and down in the trenches by the Seahawks, as an offensive line without Eric Fisher was no match for the much-improved pass rush that Seattle unveiled. Julién Davenport just was not up to the task of corralling that brigade of pass rushers.
Chris Ballard and Frank Reich knew that this may be the case when they signed Fisher, knowing that the Achilles injury he suffered during Kansas City’s playoff run last year might keep him on the bench for the first few weeks of the season, leaving Indianapolis to fill in the gaps.
Fans should have some reason for optimism after the latest injury update because it sounds like Fisher may be closer to a return than originally anticipated. Considering how often he was on the turf last week, Carson Wentz will assuredly be glad to hear this update.
Per Zak Keefer, there’s a chance that Fisher makes his Colts debut on Sunday against Aaron Donald and the Los Angeles Rams. Indianapolis has liked how he recovered from his injury, and he could end up playing if he’s a full participant in Wednesday’s practice.
My feeling is there’s a good chance Eric Fisher can make his debut Sunday. Colts like how he progressed across three practices last week. If he’s a full participant Wednesday, that’s a pretty telling sign.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) September 13, 2021
Will Eric Fisher make his Colts debut soon?
After being picked No. 1 overall in the 2013 NFL Draft following a nice career at Central Michigan, Fisher overcame a sluggish start to his pro career and made two Pro Bowls in the last three years, earning a championship ring in the process. If he’s even at 50% strength, the Colts could use someone with his skills … even though a return this soon from an Achilles injury suffered in January seems a bit rushed.
Davenport was bullied relentlessly by Seattle, and even stalwarts like Ryan Kelly and Braden Smith had poor games. The Colts need Fisher back as soon as possible after the results Week 1 yielded, but they need to be extremely cautious given the severity of the injury he’s recovering from.
Colts offensive line being manhandled today by Seahawks. Not just LT Julien Davenport. C Ryan Kelly has been beaten some, and RT Braden Smith has been beaten a lot.
— Gregg Doyel (@GreggDoyelStar) September 12, 2021
Any mismanagement could end up sapping Fisher of the same talent and effectiveness he used to become a Pro Bowler with Kansas City. This would be the absolute worst-case scenario for this offensive line, since this was Chris Ballard’s Plan A in the offseason, to the dismay of many.
The Colts have a very difficult schedule over the next few weeks, and the fact that they might face off against some elite pass rushers without the presence of Fisher on Wentz’s blindside is a scary thought.
But this scenario is a double-edged sword. Fisher’s presence almost feels essential, but the risk associated with his injury does create concern. Can anything just ever be easy with this team? The last few years really feel like torture.
