:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57074213/usa_today_9573332.0.jpg)
The Indianapolis Colts may get one of their best defensive players back this season after all. Hard hitting safety Clayton Geathers injured his neck against the Tennessee Titans in 2016. After missing the remainder of the season, and starting 2017 on the physically unable to preform list, his status for playing this year was in doubt.
Today, that narrative changed. Coach Chuck Pagano stated in a press conference: “I believe he's a week to two weeks from getting back on the field.”
re: Clayton Geathers, "I believe he's a week to two weeks from getting back on the field." Will be non-contact a couple weeks then go.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) October 9, 2017
This is big: Clayton Geathers is a few weeks away from practicing, per Pagano, and Colts fully believe he'll play this year.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) October 9, 2017
Geathers will obviously have to work his way through various levels of practice, starting with non-contact drills. Although he is still has work to do, this is great news for what already is an improving defense.
Based off an off-season interview from general manager Chris Ballard, it does appear that Geathers is ramping up practice at the scheduled time.
“A lot of this with Geathers is just the healing process,” Ballard said. “He’s in a good frame mentally. He’s worked hard and he’s done everything from a rehab standpoint... I think once we get into September and October it’ll really start ramping up for him.”
The 25 year-old has played in 24 games since entering the league in 2015. In that time, he’s combined for 93 tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 6 pass deflections.
His return will be a welcomed addition, but don’t expect to see him on the field anytime soon. The team will likely wait for a full recovery before he plays in a game, to avoid any risk of re-injury.