| Dwight Freeney will return following the bye week after missing the last two games with a high-ankle sprain. (US Presswire) |
Colts coach Chuck Pagano said Monday that both offensive guard Joe Reitz and outside linebacker Dwight Freeney will be back following the bye week. Freeney suffered a high-ankle sprain in the opener and has missed the past two games, while Reitz hasn't played at all this season.
"We will ease them back into things," Pagano said. "I don’t know how much full-speed stuff they will do in our team drills but certainly they will take part in individuals and the trainers will put them through some normal stuff when they bring these guys back, as far as drill work on the field, things like that.”
Essex released: Offensive guard Trai Essex was a casualty of Reitz's return, as Essex was released to make room for another defensive back signing, cornerback Darius Butler. A former second round pick of the Patriots, Butler last played in 2011 with the Panthers.
The signing of Butler could indicate that injuries to Vontae Davis (ankle) and Justin King (groin) could result in missed game time. Pagano said Monday that both players were week-to-week.
Ref speak: Of course everyone has an opinion on the replacement referees, especially following Monday night's debacle at the end of the Seahawks' victory over Green Bay. Here are some of the Colts' reactions.
Safety Antoine Bethea: “Of course. As a DB, that’s a pick. Seattle, they got one... Regardless if we had the regular refs, they’ve made mistakes as well. You really don’t want it to come down in the refs' hands to make a game-winning decision.”
Quarterback Andrew Luck: “I have nothing to compare it to. I think they are trying their hardest and that’s all that we can ask from them. Maybe someday down the road, I’ll be in the game with the real officials per se and maybe I’ll be able to compare it then, but until then, I respect how hard they are trying.”
Cornerback Jerraud Powers: “I’m not going to lie. My first reaction [to Monday night's play] was like ‘Wow.’ I couldn’t believe that one guy was calling a touchback and then the next guy comes up and calls a touchdown. I clearly thought it was an interception, clearly thought it was an interception and the pass interference too. When the league comes out and says they were right making the simultaneous catch goes to the offense, I can’t even argue that now. They think it’s right, then they’re right.”
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Colts blogger Evan Hilbert, follow @CBSColts.