Colts' Coby Fleener, Phillip Dorsett return to practice

Two prominent players in the Colts offense have been dealing with injuries and missed Saturday night's preseason game, as tight end Coby Fleener has been recovering from an ankle injury and wide receiver Phillip Dorsett has been working through a knee injury.

Neither of them practiced last week and neither played in Saturday's preseason game, but they are back to practice today.  This is according to FOX59's Mike Chappell:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/colts?src=hash">#colts</a> Coby Fleener back at practice. Same with Phillip Dorsett</p>&mdash; Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) <a href="https://twitter.com/mchappell51/status/638375725674930176">August 31, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Chappell also notes that running back Josh Robinson, cornerback Greg Toler, and wide receiver T.Y. Hilton are among those players who aren't practicing today:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/colts?src=hash">#colts</a> Josh Robinson (concussion), Greg Toler (neck), TY Hilton among those not working today</p>&mdash; Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) <a href="https://twitter.com/mchappell51/status/638375530983739392">August 31, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

As far as Fleener and Dorsett go, it's great to see them back on the field and starting to practice again, as both of them could have significant roles in the offense in 2015.  With Dorsett in particular the Colts were fortunate, as when he was injured in the second preseason game it initially appeared much worse than what it really was.

Of course, the Colts don't need either of them back until the September 13 regular season opener in Buffalo, as this Thursday's preseason game is the one in which the starters don't play.  We might have seen Dorsett play in the game if healthy, but since he's recovering from an injury and has his roster spot secured, I would be surprised if he does end up playing in the most meaningless of all the preseason games.  Instead, just let both Dorsett and Fleener continue to work their way back into the flow of things and have them ready for week one.  That's likely what the Colts will do as well.

Fleener has had a nice start to his career with the Colts, as in his first three years with the team he has played in 44 games, catching 129 passes for 1,663 yards (12.9 yards per reception) and 14 touchdowns.  In 2014, Fleener caught 51 passes for 774 yards and 8 scores, averaging 15.2 yards per catch.  Though the team added more receiver depth, Fleener still figures to have a big role in the offense in 2015 as they will still use some two tight end formations and as Fleener will still be able to be used as a wideout in situations.  As for Dorsett, he was drafted in the first round of this year's draft by the Colts out of Miami, and he is an explosive playmaker who has a lot of speed but also has shown that he can do other things well.  He should get quite a bit of playing time this year, even though he'll be the third or fourth receiver on the depth chart, and the Colts will likely look for ways to get the ball into his hands - as he's also likely going to be their starting punt returner.

There's no need to rush either Fleener or Dorsett back with the first regular season game not for nearly two weeks, but it's still nice to hear that they are back at practice today.