Colts Gab

There’s talk about the O-line of the Colts, and Pro Football Weekly talked today about OLG Ryan Lilja and if his job is safe entering the season:

A Colts offensive line decimated by injuries a season ago should be roaring full bore at the start of training camp, with the possible exception of one key cog: OLG Ryan Lilja. Although Lilja is expected to return to full strength, multiple knee surgeries that cost him his entire 2008 season could prove problematic. If they do, expect to see an open competition at the spot, with as many as four reserves factoring into the equation.

The Colts will be remain without OG Ruan Lilja for the rest of the season, as today the team announced he will not play in the 08 season due to a knee injury. He missed the first 11 games, but was eligible to be back on the active roster Monday, but instead will remain on the PUP list. Reports say that Lilja will have surgery for the knee injury. He started all 16 regular season games last season, and 43 of 50 between 04 and 07.

The big bit of news out of Indianapolis Colts training camp comes from Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star as he is reporting that quarterback Peyton Manning is on schedule regarding his rehabilitation to his left knee; that is the word from team head coach Tony Dungy.  Manning has missed the entire training camp (25 workouts) and he has not talked to any media outlets nor been available while continues his recovery from surgery to his left knee to remove an infected bursa sac.  The indication is that Manning is on track to possibly be cleared to practice around August 25.  In other Colts news…

• Manning is one of 6 Colts currently on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list; the team expects defensive end Dwight Freeney, safety Bob Sanders and maybe rookie tight end Tom Santi to begin practicing next week.  Guard Ryan Lilja may need an additional week to fully recover from off-season knee surgery; linebacker Tyjuan Hagler is expected to remain out until at least October.
• Offensive tackle Tony Ugoh returned to practice Thursday morning after missing Wednesday’s practice with a bruised knee.  Offensive tackle Ryan Diem has missed 3 consecutive practices and will not play Saturday night when the Colts face the Atlanta Falcons due to a minor shoulder injury.  Cornerback Kelvin Hayden suffered a bruised heel during Thursday’s practice, but it isn’t believed to be a serious injury.
• A limited number of tickets for the Colts’ two home preseason games – August 24 against the Buffalo Bills and August 28 against the Cincinnati Bengals – are available; they can be purchased right here.

The Colts have likely lost another player to a season ending injury, as reports say that DB Michael Coe will be placed on IR with a left knee injury.  The injury took place last week, and while the injury may be healed enough for Coe to be back in about 8 weeks, coach Tony Dungy told the media today that they could not wait for him to get back and need the roster spot.

“We wanted to hold off as long as we could, but realistically he would be out two months, so we would have had to carry 52 instead of 53 for that time,” Dungy said. “It’s tough because he did a great job rehabbing his shoulder, and then he had a freak injury that ruined his season.”

Right now the Colts injured list is about as full as any teams in the league – from Peyton Manning to Bob Sanders to Dwight Freeney, Ryan Lilja, Tyjuan Hagler, Philip Wheeler, Victor Worsley to rookie Tom Santi, the team is simply trying to make it though camp with no more players limping off the field.

Now that Jake Scott is going to line up against the Colts twice a season with the Titans, who is going to replace him on the O-line?  Pro Football Weekly is reporting that one player that may have the inside track on the spot is Dylan Gandy.  Word is Gandy was supposed to be the starter back in his rookie season of 2005, but a foot injury kept him from doing so.  He played well in 11 games back in 2006 when playing for the injured Ryan Lilja.  From the sounds of it, Gandy now will be the starting guard opposite Lilja once the camps start getting set for the 08 season.

The Colts avoided one of their own going the free agency route on Tuesday, as they came to terms with guard Ryan Lilja. Terms of the deal with Lilja were not known. Lilja has been a big part of the Colts line the past few seasons, as he has started 43 of the last 50 games for the Colts. With bringing him back it likely means that fellow guard Jake Scott will go free agent once the signing period starts next Friday.