Sanders and Gonzalez, Neither On Pace For Camp

Although Bob Sanders and Anthony Gonzalez are reportedly on schedule with their injury rehabilitation, neither are expected to be ready for training camp or the preseason. According to The Indianapolis Star, there is a good chance that neither player will be able cleared medically to participate in when camp rolls around. It appears that each may aim for the first week of the regular season to make their return to a Colts’ uniform, and for each it will be a long awaited return.

Last season the Colts received great play from young receivers, Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon. Going into the season the Colts did not know how much depth they truly had at the receiver position, however, when Gonzalez went down with an injury the Colts found out just how much talent they had on their roster. With the depth and talent at receiver, the loss of Gonzalez was easily overcome by the Colts, but the loss of Sanders has been a recurring theme that has plagued the Colts over the past several seasons. In order to compensate for the loss of Sanders, the Colts have called upon Melvin Bullitt time and time again, and Bullitt has stepped-up. Paired with Antoine Bethea, Bullitt has been apart of a very formidable safety tandem. Although the tandem of Bethea and Bullitt is solid and dependable, it lacks the elite status that a tandem of Bethea and Sanders would form. 

Excellent depth through the draft has given the Colts with the ability to plug-in players at crucial positions, and not miss a beat. Having a great quarterback like Peyton Manning also helps cover-up a teams flaws, but even Manning needs a strong supporting cast. For Sanders and Gonzalez time may be running out for the two to prove their worth, and another season plagued with injuries may spell  doom for the both of them. Sanders especially, who is currently sitting on a very large contract and earning paychecks for being one of the most consistently injured players in the NFL. Although the Colts did not make many moves in free agency, the re-addition of Sanders and Gonzalez, paired with the new rookies, may just put the Colts over the top on their quest for a Super Bowl.