The Indianapolis Colts were back on the practice field on Thursday and for the second straight day, so were Jonathan Taylor and DeForest Buckner.
On Wednesday, the Colts designated Buckner to return from injured reserve, where he had been since Week 3 after suffering a high ankle sprain against Green Bay.
Taylor, meanwhile, had been sidelined with a high ankle sprain as well, missing the Colts’ last three games.
Wednesday was the first practice back for both Buckner and Taylor since each sustained their injuries. Each player practiced in a limited capacity. Later this afternoon, we will learn the status of Taylor and Buckner for today’s practice.
With Buckner being designated to return from IR, a 21 day window has been opened for the Colts to add him back to the team’s 53-man roster, at which point he can be available for games.
That activation can happen at any point within the 21 days, whether it be Day 1 or Day 21, it all is dependent upon Buckner’s health and how he’s progressing. So although back at practice, there isn’t a guarantee that he will play Sunday against Houston. We are still in wait-and-see mode in that regard.
With Taylor he would speak to the media prior to Thursday’s practice, and from the sounds of it, he is still in the feeling out process when it comes to where his injury is at.
“Even though it was limited work, some individual stuff yesterday, I just can’t wait to go out there again today, get a bit more work and see how it feels,” said Taylor via the Indy Star’s Joel Erickson.
Although only at the halfway point in the season, this week’s game against the Texans already comes with massive AFC South playoff implications.
Without Taylor, the run game has struggled to consistently get going while in Buckner’s absence, both the Colts’ run defense and pass rush has suffered.
There is the obvious impact that both players can make on the game, but having Taylor and Buckner on the field makes the entire offensive and defensive units better because the presence of these players and their gravity helps create opportunities for their teammates as well.
Update: the Colts released their Thursday injury report and both Taylor and Buckner were full participants.
