Indianapolis Colts RB Donald Brown
As Jim Caldwell sees it, Indianapolis Colts RB Donald Brown means well.
But the Colts' first-year coach said on Wednesday just because the rookie running back wants to practice and prepare to play against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday doesn't mean he necessarily will do so.
Brown, the Colts' first-round selection in the 2009 NFL Draft, was one of two players to sustain significant injuries this past Sunday against St. Louis. He sustained a shoulder injury that has his status uncertain for Sunday, while wide receiver Reggie Wayne sustained a groin injury that Caldwell said will keep the three-time Pro Bowl receiver out of practice Wednesday.
FOR THE LATEST ON BROWN AND WAYNE, VISIT: INDY FOOTBALL REPORT
Brown said on Wednesday he plans to practice and prepare this week as if he is going to play, but Caldwell called that "wishful thinking."
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"As coaches we love to hear that," Caldwell said Wednesday as the AFC South-leading Colts (6-0) prepared to play the 49ers (3-3) at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis Sunday at 1 p.m.
"There may be some phase he'll be able to participate in, but today would be wishful thinking for him, to be honest with you.”
*** IFR EDITOR JOHN OEHSER ON COLTS DE DWIGHT FREENEY: HERE
Caldwell added, “He's going to have to nurse that shoulder a bit. It depends on how quickly he comes along. Hell be kind of wait-and-see this week.”
While Caldwell said Wayne “feels good,” he said he likely won't practice Wednesday.
“We're hoping he will progress throughout the week and he'll increase his activity,” Caldwell said of Wayne. “We'll see where he is come Friday or so.”
Colts President Bill Polian said on the NFL Network Tuesday that "Reggie, I think, is fine," and said Brown's injury could keep him out one-to-three weeks.
"I doubt we would have him this week," Polian said of Brown.
Caldwell also said WR Anthony Gonzalez (knee) may return to practice on a limited basis this week and participated in a walkthrough Wednesday morning. He has been out since Week 1 with a knee injury.
“I suspect we'll get a little practice out of him this week," Caldwell said. "I'm not sure how much. We'll see how he does throughout the week.”
Caldwell said the injury to Wayne won't influence the approach to the return of Gonzalez.
“They're separate issues,” Caldwell said. “Just because we would like certain things to happen, we can't accelerate the healing process.”
With Brown possibly out or limited, Caldwell said starter Joseph Addai likely will get an increased workload this week, and that second-year veteran Chad Simpson also could get increased work.
*** A REVIEW OF COLTS PRESIDENT BILL POLIAN'S WEEKLY RADIO SHOW: TE DALLAS CLARK SHOULD GO TO THE PRO BOWL HERE. AND AN UPDATE ON WR REGGIE WAYNE. HERE.
*** COFFEE WITH THE COLTS. A NEXT-DAY REVIEW OF RAMS-COLTS. HERE.
*** COLTS 42, RAMS 6. INDY FOOTBALL REPORT EDITOR JOHN OEHSER'S GAME STORY. HERE
*** THE TOP FIVE SEASONS OF COLTS QB PEYTON MANNING. HERE
MAGNIFICENT SEVENS: WEEKLY COLTS THOUGHTS . . .
Magnificent Seven I: Seven training camp thoughts and observations
Magnificent Seven II: On the Colts' defensive tackle position and WR Reggie Wayne
Magnificent Seven III: On the Colts' running backs and offensive line
Magnificent Seven IV: On the Colts' offense, OG Ryan Lilja and WR Anthony Gonzalez
Magnificent Seven V: On S Melvin Bullitt and QB Peyton Manning
Magnificent Seven VI: On RB Donald Brown and the start of the season . . . at last
Magnificent Seven VII: On WR Reggie Wayne, the OL and blitzing
Magnificent Seven VIII: On WR Reggie Wayne, QB Peyton Manning and DE Dwight Freeney
Magnificent Seven IX: On DE Robert Mathis, S Bob Sanders and DE Dwight Freeney
Magnificent Seven X: On QB Peyton Manning's start and life without DT Ed Johnson
Magnificent Seven XI: On RB rotation, DE Dwight Freeney and S Bob Sanders
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