Colts WR Reggie Wayne Never Stops Impressing

Reggie Wayne is a 35-year old wide receiver who is coming off of a torn ACL suffered a year ago.  We all know the stats about receivers declining rapidly in production once they hit that 35-year old mark, and to add to that Reggie was recovering from a torn ACL too.

Despite all of that, the 14-year veteran doesn't look like he's missed a beat.  Against the Titans today, Reggie Wayne caught 7 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown.  On the season, he has 23 catches for 307 yards and a score, putting him on pace to catch 92 passes for 1,228 yards and 4 touchdowns this season - as a soon to be 36-year old.

That's not it, though.  Reggie also notched some pretty significant career milestones today.  He became just the third Colt ever to appear in 200 career games, joining only Peyton Manning and Johnny Unitas.  He moved into seventh place all-time in career receptions with 1,029, passing Isaac Bruce.  He moved into tenth place all-time in career receiving yards with 13,873, passing Henry Ellard.  He moved into a tie for 22nd place all-time in career touchdown catches with 81, tying Art Powell.  He extended his own NFL record by recording at least three receptions in his 75th consecutive game.

"The guy obviously has a gift," head coach Chuck Pagano said after the game.  "He's got instincts. You can't teach that stuff, but he practices that stuff over and over and over again. Obviously he's been doing it for a long time. Guy's 50-years-old and still making plays like that. Credit him, our docs, our trainers, and Dr. Uribe down in South Florida and our trainers and staff for getting him right."

"He's a pro. He makes plays," quarterback Andrew Luck said.  "He shows up in third down. He shows up in the red zone. Obviously his hands are incredible. He's a phenomenal football player, and I do think we take it for granted a little bit in the locker room just because you're around him every day and don't realize this is truly a special football player. Coach (Chuck) Pagano just sort of listed some of the records he's moving up with; he's top 10 in this, seventh in that, top 20 in this. It is very impressive."

Reggie Wayne himself took some time to reflect on the milestones he reached this afternoon.  "When I was put into this situation when I was brought into the league, it was just to come and do the best I possibly can," Reggie said.  "I was blessed to be drafted by the Colts in 2001 and I just wanted to come out and compete to show them that this investment was pretty solid.

"Here we are 14 years later and when you play that long, you're going to catch some milestones as I always say. I'm just thankful to be healthy enough to go out there and to fellowship with my brethren and it's just a big win for us. It's a divisional game, we know what was at stake, we came out and wanted to continue to set a statement, hats off to Tennessee they came and played hard, but we played a little harder than they did today."

The Colts played well as a team, and quarterback Andrew Luck certainly had a great game, but Reggie Wayne took center stage today.  The future Hall of Fame wide receiver had a great day today, and in doing so he reached a number of significant career milestones.  Reggie has long been a fan favorite, and today the cheers at Lucas Oil Stadium could be heard loud and clear for the veteran.  He deserved it, as he continued an impressive comeback and an impressive career.  Hats off to Reggie Wayne on the career milestones he reached today, and here's to hoping for many more.