Indy Football Report: Austin Collie to start regular-season opener as Indianapolis Colts third WR

September 9, 1:43 PMIndianapolis Colts ExaminerJohn Oehser

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Austin Collie will be the Indianapolis Colts' third wide receiver -- for the regular-season opener, at least.

Collie, a fourth-round selection in the 2009 NFL Draft from Brigham Young University, played mostly in the slot during the preseason, and Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell said on Wednesday he will be the first receiver in at the third position Sunday.

“This particular game as we see it today – and I stress today – Austin Collie is going be sort of the third guy,” Caldwell said Wednesday as the Colts (12-4, second AFC South last season) prepared to play the Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11, fourth place) in the 2009 regular-season opener at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis Sunday at 1 p.m.

Second-year veteran Pierre Garcon is the other Colts reserve receiver, with three-time Pro Bowl selection Reggie Wayne and third-year veteran Anthony Gonzalez starting.

"I think you're going to see both guys," Caldwell said. "(Garcon) will rotate in there also."

Caldwell also said S Bob Sanders, the 2007 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year, is still progressing, but that no timetable has been set for his return.

"He's obviously doing well, and we're going to continue to try to work with him and increase his activity and see where that is in the next few weeks or so," Caldwell said.

Also, LB Tyjuan Hagler has moved ahead of second-year veteran Philip Wheeler on the depth chart at strong-side linebacker, coach Jim Caldwell said Wednesday. The Colts' official depth chart on the team's website moved Hagler to the starting position Monday.

Hagler, a fifth-round selection in the 2005 NFL Draft, missed his rookie season on the Physically Unable to Perform list and started last season there, too. He also missed time with injuries in 2006 and 2007, but started much of the 2007 season.

“When he's been able to get out there and perform for us, he's been highly-productive,” Caldwell said. “We anticipate this is going be his year, that he's going to to stay healthy and play well.” 

Also Wednesday, the Colts made three more moves on their practice squad, signing S DaVon Hall – formerly with Minnesota – and TE Jason Pocisak, who has spent time with Tampa Bay. The team also released WR Sam Giguere from the practice squad.

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

*** BREAKING DOWN THE ROSTER: IFR Editor John Oehser looks at the 2009 depth chart HERE.

*** THE CUTS: A list of the roster moves to get down to the 53-man limit HERE.

READ "COFFEE WITH THE COLTS: A NEXT-DAY GLANCE AT THE COLTS-BENGALS GAME WITH PRE-CUT DAY COMMENTS FROM INDIANAPOLIS COLTS PRESIDENT BILL POLIAN . . .

RECENT COLTS NEWS

* QB Jim Sorgi to remain backup behind QB Peyton Manning

* Colts place CB Michael Coe, two others, on waived-injured

* CB Kelvin Hayden says he'll return for regular-season opener

* K Adam Vinatieri taken off PUP list

 * Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell finds the positives in loss to Cincinnati

* Colts move S Bob Sanders off the PUP list

* Colts S Bob Sanders will play sooner rather than later

MAGNIFICENT SEVENS, 2009 PRESEASON 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

EXAMINER SERIES: TWENTY PRE-TRAINING CAMP QUESTIONS WITH THE COLTS . . . 

 1) Will Jim Sorgi be the backup quarterback?

2) Will Special Teams be Special?

3) Who will be the Colts' breakout player in 2009?  

4) Will loss of former Head Coach Tony Dungy hurt in 2009? 

5) What will defense look like in 2009?

6) Will DT Ed Johnson impact the defense in 2009?

7) How important is the return of OG Ryan Lilja in 2009?

8) Will K Adam Vinatieri be ready in 2009? 

9) Will WRs be improved in 2009? 

10) Will OL improve in 2009? 

11) Will S Bob Sanders be healthy in 2009?

12) Will secondary be one of NFL's best in 2009?

13) Who will start at RB in 2009? 

14) What roles will Tom Moore and Howard Mudd play in 2009?

15) Can QB Peyton Manning improve again in 2009?

16) Will the Colts be OK at LB in 2009?

17) Will CB Kelvin Hayden make the Pro Bowl in 2009?

18) Can TE Dallas Clark make the Pro Bowl in 2009?

19) Can OT Tony Ugoh develop into franchise-level LT?

20) Can the Colts win the Super Bowl in 2009?

THE POSITION-BY-POSITION PRE-TRAINING CAMP SERIES: 

• The QUARTERBACKS
• The RUNNING BACKS
• The TIGHT ENDS
• The WIDE RECEIVERS
• The OFFENSIVE TACKLES
• The OFFENSIVE GUARDS
• The CENTERS
• The DEFENSIVE ENDS
• The DEFENSIVE TACKLES
• The LINEBACKERS
• The CORNERBACKS
• The SAFETIES

OTHER EXAMINER COLTS TOPICS . . .

• Colts QB Peyton Manning on Steve McNair
• Steve McNair's career often intertwined with the Colts
• QB Peyton Manning omitted from ESPN.com's All-Decade team
• The best of the Indianapolis Colts blogosphere . . .
• Manning: Influence of Tony Dungy still felt around Colts
• Mudd, Moore return inevitable, happy end to long story
• Colts to allow sponsors on practice uniforms
• Why Colts QB Peyton Manning is primed for another big season
• Re-signing DT Ed Johnson makes DT situation even better
• SERIES: Peyton Manning Top 10 underrated moments.
• Breaking Down the 2009 Colts Schedule
• A recap of the Colts' 2009 NFL Draft