Report: Colts Estimate Late September Return to the Field for Reportedly Signed LT Eric Fisher

According to The Athletic’s Stephen Holder, the Indianapolis Colts are estimating a potential late September return for reportedly freshly signed former Kansas City Chiefs left tackle Eric Fisher:

It coincides with a later report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, who suggested that the Colts will not rush Fisher back—as he may only miss the first 3-5 weeks of the 2021 season regardless:

While early reports are encouraging—and the Colts were clearly comfortable with his physical and underlying medicals, it appears Fisher’s availability remains fluid—albeit with a potentially earlier timetable for returning to the football field than initially anticipated.

For the Colts, with Fisher playing on a new 1-year, $9.4 million deal, there’s little downside, but potentially huge upside at starting left tackle.

The team was projected to start signed free agent Sam Tevi along the blindside and very well still may have to—if Fisher isn’t ready by the team’s opener (September 12, 2021), which is a very realistic possibility.

That being said, once initially penciled in as the every week starter for 2021, it now appears that the Colts will just have to get by with Tevi for a handful of games to begin the season—assuming Fisher can make a full recovery by the first quarter of the season or so.

The potential upgrade between the backup caliber left tackle, Tevi, and the 2x Pro Bowl blindside bookend, Fisher, who was the former top overall pick of the 2013 NFL Draft is enormous—especially if the latter is fully healthy and truly going right.

That being said, the 2021 Colts appear to be poised to make a deep playoff push and should have Fisher ready to go for the late season’s stretch run regardless (even if it’s worst case, a possible midseason return to the field).

At any rate, Fisher should be instrumental in keeping newly acquired quarterback Carson Wentz healthy and upright this upcoming season—keeping him comfortable by knowing that his blindside is safely protected in the pocket (and he’s not going to get consistently destroyed back there).

And as Wentz goes, so too may the 2021 Colts.

As such, here’s to hoping Fisher’s return to the field is sooner rather than later—as initial reports are encouraging to say the least.

He could truly be a difference-maker along the blindside—whenever his return may actually be.