Jim Caldwell knows the question NFL followers want to know when it comes to the Indianapolis Colts these days.
For the answer, he said everyone will just have to wait.
Caldwell, the Colts' first-year head coach, said Friday it's not that he doesn't want to tell people how many starters will play and for how long against the New York Jets Sunday, but that he doesn't yet know.
“As a matter of fact, we'll try to enjoy the weekend, kind of assess where we are, take a look at our injury situation that won't completely clear itself up for a few days," Caldwell said a day after the Colts' 35-31 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium.
"When it does, we'll kind of look at that and make a decision.”
Who will play for the Colts (14-0) and how extensively became an issue this past Sunday, when they clinched homefield advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. With three regular-season games remaining, and with the Colts still undefeated, Caldwell said on Monday the team would play any healthy players throughout Thursday's game.
The Colts did that, and DE Dwight Freeney, DE Robert Mathis, DT Eric Foster and OT Charlie Johnson -- each of whom missed work before the Jaguars game -- also played.
Caldwell said Friday the reason no decision had yet been made for the Jets' game was simple.
COLTS 35, JAGUARS 31. HERE
COFFEE WITH THE COLTS. NEXT-DAY LOOK AT COLTS-JAGUARS. HERE.
There's still plenty of time to make it.
“Last week was a little different,” Caldwell said. “I had to make it a little quicker, because I had less time. It was a short week. We have a little more time this week."
The Colts (14-0) on Thursday rallied five times from three-point deficits against Jacksonville (7-7), and took their final lead on a 65-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Peyton Manning to Reggie Wayne with 5:23 remaining. Rookie cornerback Jacob Lacey intercepted Garrard at the Colts 11 with :56 remaining to secure the victory.
“I think they were certainly happy, and they certainly felt good about what they were able to accomplish," Caldwell said. "That's a heck of a football team we played. They played extremely well. There were nine lead changes. It was a shootout at the OK Corral. It was one of those games where you don't know who's going to win it. It depends on who has the ball last. We found a way to get it done.
“They were certainly pleased with how we finished the game, but I do think they believe – much like we do – that we still have a lot of work to do. We're showing signs of improvement in some areas. I think that's key.”
The victory extended the Colts' NFL record regular-season winning streak to 23 games, and their seventh fourth-quarter comeback of the season also established an NFL record, but the primary topic on Thursday -- and again on Friday -- was the 14-0 record, and whether Colts would play starters extensively in the final two games.
“Obviously, it's a great conversation for those who love our sport, and it should be,” Caldwell said. “But it doesn't necessarily mean that it engulfs and encompasses everything that we think about. Obviously, we know the most important thing is getting the best possible condition you can be in to do well in the playoffs.
“That's what we think about. We'll adjust and move along game by game like we've done all year. We'll make an assessment about how we're going to play our next game sometime in the future.”
MAGNIFICENT SEVEN: DEBUNKING A MYTH ABOUT HOW THE COLTS MIGHT APPROACH THE REST OF THE SEASON. HERE.
Highlighting Colts President Bill Polian's weekly radio show . . .
* Part One: On 114 victories in a decade: "Really something." Here.
* Part Two: "No such thing as rust." Here.
* Part Three: Dan Muir "has been dynamite for us." Here.
* Part Four: Who will play won't be known until Thursday. Here.
MORE COLTS COVERAGE
MANNING ON PLAYING STARTERS THURSDAY: "THAT'S WHAT WE WANTED TO HEAR." HERE
MORE COLTS COVERAGE
DOES PEYTON MANNING GET TOO MUCH RESPECT? HERE
POLIANS' CONTRACTS EXTENDED. HERE
COLTS FANS OWE RB JOSEPH ADDAI AN APOLOGY. HERE
*** CATCH UP WITH ALL THINGS COLTS ON INDY FOOTBALL REPORT. HERE
*** READ JOHN OEHSER'S INDIANA PACERS COVERAGE. HERE.
Comments
Come on John, convince them to play the starters until the end. The Titans need your help. Make that front office call. I know you have those connects.
All jokes aside, keep it up. - Go AFC South
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