Indianapolis Colts sign free-agent veteran WR Hank Baskett; QB Peyton Manning likes the move

Former Philadelphia Eagles WR Hank Baskett, now with Colts (AP Photo)

The Indianapolis Colts Thursday afternoon announced the signing of veteran WR Hank Baskett.

Baskett, who spent the last three seasons with Philadelphia, was waived by the Eagles earlier this week. He likely will play a fourth receiver role behind Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie.

Baskett, acquired in a 2006 trade with Minnesota, had signed with the Vikings shortly after the 2006 NFL Draft as an undrafted rookie free agent from new Mexico. Baskett (6-feet-4, 210 pounds), who has caught 72 passes for 1,052 yards and six touchdowns in four seasons, caught 33 passes for 440 yards and three touchdowns last season.

WR Anthony Gonzalez likely will be out 2-to-8 weeks after sustaining a knee injury Sunday, Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell said Thursday.

“It feels good to have another veteran,” Colts QB Peyton Manning said of Baskett as the Colts (1-0) prepared to play the Miami Dolphins (0-1) at Dolphin Stadium Monday. “Hopefully, we can catch him up to speed as much as possible, so if we had to put him in there to play, he’d be ready. It’s a lot of offense to learn in a couple of days. He’s been in a complicated system in Philadelphia, and he’s a veteran. He can only help us.”

Manning also said second-year wide receiver Pierre Garcon and rookie wide receiver Austin Collie will play “huge” role Monday.

“I think it’s fair to say that when you do have young guys in there, you’re going to lean on your veteran players,” Manning said. “There is no question that (wide receiver) Reggie (Wayne) and (tight end) Dallas (Clark) and (running back) Joseph (Addai) will be featured in the game plan. At the same time, it is the NFL. You can’t draw up a play (and say), ‘This ball has got to go to Dallas Clark.’ Here you call it that way, but the defense gives you a different look that you might not expect.

“Pierre and Austin know they have to be ready at all times, and I believe they will. . . . I feel good about those guys being ready.”

Baskett practiced with the Colts Thursday.

"The first day went very smooth," he said. "I have a lot of catching up to do."

*** READ THE LATEST "MAGNIFICENT SEVEN: SEVEN THOUGHTS FROM IFR EDITOR JOHN OEHSER ON ALL THINGS COLTS HERE ***

*** READ POLIAN SPEAKS, THE NEXT-DAY THOUGHTS OF COLTS PRESIDENT BILL POLIAN AFTER COLTS-JAGUARS, PART I HERE ***

*** READ COFFEE WITH THE COLTS, Indy Football Report Editor John Oehser's next-morning look at Colts-Jaguars, HERE. ***

*** WHAT DO THE COLTS HAVE TO DO TO WIN THE AFC SOUTH? READ IFR EDITOR JOHN OEHSER'S FIVE KEYS HERE ***

*** WHY THE COLTS WON'T -- AND SHOULDN'T -- RE-SIGN WR MARVIN HARRISON HERE ***

RECENT COLTS NEWS

* Colts S Bob Sanders will play sooner rather than later

* WR Anthony Gonzalez out 2-to-6 weeks

MAGNIFICENT SEVENS: WEEKLY COLTS THOUGHTS . . .