INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts are juggling the availability of a handful of key players as they prepare to play Jacksonville on Sunday.
Indianapolis is monitoring the rehabilitation of cornerback Sauce Gardner, left tackle Bernhard Raimann, wide receiver Ashton Dulin and quarterback Anthony Richardson, although Richardson will not be ready to be activated by this weekend’s game against the Jaguars.
The Colts are opening Dulin’s window to return after he missed the last four games due to a hamstring injury.
Gardner has missed the past three games after feeling a pop in his upper calf on the second play of the team’s loss to Houston.
“He’s progressing really well,” Steichen said. “We’ll see how the week goes, but I’m hopeful he can go this week.”
Indianapolis traded two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell to get Gardner, who was able to play just two full games and 161 defensive snaps before suffering the injury.
The biggest prize any team landed at the trade deadline has instead been unavailable due to injury.
“You never want injuries to happen,” Steichen said. “Obviously, you get a big-time player and he goes through the calf injury. We’d love to have him out there, hopefully this is a week we can get him back out there.”
Indianapolis has also been forced to play without Gardner’s runningmate, Charvarius Ward, who is on season-ending injured reserve after suffering his third concussion.
“Obviously, he’s been through some things with the concussions, to have him around, still engaged, it’s been really good,” Steichen said. “He’s been great. Great energy, great mindset.”
Raimann suffered a significant injury to his right elbow against Seattle. Although he practiced last Friday, it’s unclear if he’ll be ready this week.
“Very hopeful for him this week,” Steichen said. “I know he’s progressing really well, so we’ll see how the week goes.”
Richardson practiced last week, but he is still learning to play with visual limitation.
“Not this week,” Steichen said. “We’re going to see how this week progresses.”
Indianapolis could be eliminated from playoff contention this week with a loss against Jacksonville or a win by Houston over the Chargers on Saturday.
If the Colts are eliminated, Indianapolis may handle a few of the injuries differently.
For example, 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers will start against Jacksonville regardless of Saturday’s result because he will get the starter’s snaps in practice instead of Riley Leonard.
But Rivers acknowledges that the team may decide to go with a younger quarterback like Riley Leonard if the Colts are eliminated.
“Obviously, that’s up to Shane and up to the coaching staff,” Rivers said. “That wouldn’t be up to me, and I would be for the team, whatever they felt was the best decision.”
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.