Robert Mathis won’t be ready for training camp
The Indianapolis Colts have their eyes on the Super Bowl, with the return of outside linebacker Robert Mathis being a huge part of that plan. On Thursday, owner Jim Irsay stated that Mathis is recovering from his Achilles injury but will not be ready for the start of training , according to the team’s official website.
"“I don’t think at this point anyone knows for sure,” Irsay said on the Colts website. “Obviously, Robert is optimistic, and he’s a fast healer. You just don’t know, but I would say I don’t see him being football ready for the beginning of training camp where he would be a full-go guy and that sort of thing. I think time will tell.”"
Indianapolis begins training camp on Aug. 1 with its first regular-season game coming on September 13 against the Buffalo Bills.
Next: 30 greatest NFL defenders of all-time
If Mathis’ recovery takes even longer than expected, he could be placed on the PUP list, which would make him inactive through the first six weeks. Still, Mathis feels good about where he is with his comeback.
"“I’m back running. Training and rehab is full swing. I’m ahead of schedule and just trying to stay ahead of it,” Mathis said."
Irsay believes Mathis might not be back until November, making the PUP list a virtual certainty in that case. By being on placed on that list, general manager Ryan Grigson is allowing himself another active roster spot.
"“Obviously, Robert wants to be back as soon as he can be. We want him back as soon as he can be, but we also want to make sure when he comes back that he’s 100% healthy and ready to go,” Irsay said. “But as far as the start of training camp, I don’t see him being as a full-go guy right when we’re starting up.”"
Mathis, 34, is one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL when healthy. Since being drafted in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft, Mathis has racked up 111 career sacks. He missed all of last season with a suspension for performance-enhancing drugs followed by a torn Achilles, but in 2013 led the league with 19.5 sacks. During his time in Indianapolis, he has amassed double-digit sacks in a season five times and won a Super Bowl in 2006.
With Mathis still working his way back into playing shape, the Colts have Trent Cole and Bjoern Werner penciled in as starters on the edges. Cole was a free-agent signing after being cut by the Philadelphia Eagles, while Werner is entering his third campaign after being a first-round pick in 2013. Through two seasons, Werner has 6.5 sacks.