So far today, we've had nothing but good news in terms of injuries and the Colts. Wide receiver Reggie Wayne, running back Vick Ballard, offensive lineman Donald Thomas, and running back Ahmad Bradshaw were all cleared for practice. The Colts have placed one player on the physically unable to perform list entering camp, however, and that player is fullback Stanley Havili.
Havili missed all of the offseason work while recovering from injury, and it looks like he'll miss a bit more time as well. He can be activated from the PUP list at any time before the regular season, but if still not healthy then, he can be placed on the regular season PUP list, which would mean he'd miss the first six games. The indications are that Havili should be ready for the regular season, however, and the Colts can activate him any time before that.
Of course, Havili's roster spot isn't secure by any means. Havili actually played pretty well for the Colts last year, playing in 13 games and catching 18 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown. Havili does add another dimension and a weapon to the offense, but that's not why he's in there - he's in there to block, and especially more so this year with such a deep core of pass catchers the Colts have. Because of that, there's going to be a battle at the fullback spot, as we looked at last week.
Mario Harvey moved from linebacker to fullback this offseason, and by every report and indication out of Indianapolis, the Colts were very happy with Harvey this offseason. The more I thought about it as the offseason went on, the more I thought Harvey could really beat out Havili for the starting fullback spot (and likely lone fullback spot on the roster). That was before Havili was placed on the PUP list to start camp, and so this opens the door wide open for Harvey to take advantage. Also on the roster at fullback is Cameron White, a 24-year old undrafted rookie out of Hillsdale College. He's a long shot to make the roster, but he's going to get even more chances now with Havili on the PUP to start camp.
We don't know how long Stanley Havili will be on the PUP, but Mario Harvey will now get the bulk of the reps at fullback and he really can win that job. It'll definitely be something to watch in camp.