Chuck Pagano has "a lot" of optimism T.Y. Hilton will play Monday night; will be game-time decision

The status of Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton is very much up in the air right now, as the receiver suffered a knee injury in Sunday's season opener.  Though he suffered no structural damage, he still suffered a knee bruise that could take some time to heal, and it sounded likely that he would miss a game or two.  The Colts are hoping it's less than that and that Hilton can be there on the field this Monday night as they take on the New York Jets.

Though Hilton didn't practice today, Colts head coach Chuck Pagano has "a lot" of optimism that Hilton can get back at practice sometime this week and play Monday, according to the Anderson Herald Bulletin's George Bremer.  Bremer also spoke with Hilton today, and the receiver said that he will be a game-time decision for Monday's game.

The nice part is that Hilton does have an extra day to recover since the Colts play on Monday this week, but it still is very uncertain whether he will play.  Pagano has more optimism than I thought he might, but that still doesn't tell us whether or not the receiver will play - and, if he does play, just how much time he would see.

Of course, we likely won't find out for sure until shortly before kickoff on Monday night, as Hilton said he will be a game-time decision.  And that makes sense, since the Colts are still hoping that he can play, but even if he can't, making him a game-time decision would keep the Jets guessing until the last possible moment.  Of course, the ideal situation for the Colts would be to have their number one wideout on the field, however, so that's the hope - and, if you ask Chuck Pagano, he has a lot of optimism that it might happen.  If you ask me?  Well, I won't be convinced until I see it Monday night.