GM Chris Ballard Comments on the Colts’ Reported Signing of Pro Bowl LT Eric Fisher

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard joined The Athletic’s ‘One Percent Better’ podcast featuring hosts Stephen Holder and Zak Keefer, and the Horseshoe’s football operations head man commented on the reported recent signing of former Kansas City Chiefs Pro Bowl left tackle Eric Fisher:

“I was with Eric (Fisher) his first four years of his career,” Ballard said on ‘One Percent Better’. “So I’ve got a(n) (established relationship), that I’ve watched him grow even more since I’ve been out of the building. You know, we’re getting a good left tackle that works and plays the game the right way the way we want to do. He’s going to fit in really good with our o-line group. And we think he’s going to help us.”

“Of course, he’s got to get through the Achilles injury, and we’ll do the right thing and make sure that we’ve got him healthy before we put him back on the field. But we think that’ll happen in due time, and he’ll be good to go at some point. I’m not going to put a timeframe on it. But I think when he does, he’ll be a very good addition to our team.”

The Colts reportedly agreed to a one-year, $9.4 million deal with Fisher earlier this week.

Ballard was with the Kansas City Chiefs when Fisher was selected with the first overall pick of the 2013 NFL Draft, so obviously there’s great familiarity and a comfort zone already there between the two parties.

It also looks like Ballard and the Colts’ coaching staff won’t rush Fisher back to the field—and rightfully so, until he’s 100% ready to go and cleared for full football activity.

There’s been estimations that Fisher could miss anywhere from the first 3-5 games or so of the season (with a potential late September-early October Colts’ debut), but the ongoing timetable for his return obviously remains fluid—rehabbing from a torn Achilles suffered in last year’s AFC Title game against the Buffalo Bills.

As such, the Colts may just have to get through the first handful of weeks with the likes of Sam Tevi or Will Holden at starting left tackle until Fisher is completely ready to roll.

However, at some point, the 2x Pro Bowler should present a major upgrade blocking along the blindside for Indianapolis—assuming he can come back fully healthy and regain his prior stalwart form.