Indianapolis Colts running backs Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines were both on the field for practice to begin Week 7.
Both Taylor and Hines were inactive in Week 6 when the Colts beat the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium. It was Deon Jackson who carried the backfield, taking 22 touches for 121 total yards and a touchdown. But Taylor and Hines both were on the field Thursday as the Colts prepare to visit the Tennessee Titans in Nashville this week. Hines appeared close to clearing the league’s protocol in Week 6 but didn’t get that final step. In Taylor’s case, the team was likely being cautious even with a few extra days of rest following the Thursday night game in Week 5. No guarantees yet but it seems they’re trending toward a return this week.
Linebacker Shaquille Leonard also returned to practice Wednesday as the team prepares for a divisional battle against the Titans. Leonard has dealt with various injuries this season, forcing him to miss all but two quarters of play through six games. He missed the first three games recovering from offseason back surgery but when he made his season debut in Week 4, he quickly suffered a concussion and a broken nose after colliding with fellow linebacker Zaire Franklin during the second quarter. As of this morning Leonard’s status was still uncertain but the Colts defense needs all the help they can get when facing Tennessee’s Derrick Henry.
In Pacers news I told you Myles Turner was a late scratch in Wednesday nights season opener with a left ankle sprain moments before the game. Here’s the scoop. Turner landed on the foot of a ball boy in pregame warmups and as a result, tweaked his ankle. The untimely accident was significant enough to keep him sidelined for Wednesday night’s game and will keep Turner out of the lineup for at least one week per Pacers insider David King.
While it doesn’t seem like something that will linger for more than the next week or so, it’s an unfortunate injury for the big man, who missed Indiana’s final 38 games of last season with a stress reaction in his foot.
NFL Thursday night football matchup
On Monday we’ll have a report on the weekends local sports including:
Barr Reeve’s Elle Knepp and Colton Stoll at the Cross Country Semi State
The Washington Hatchets sectional football game against Pike Central
The Lady Vikings march in the 3A volleyball regional
And the Washington Golden Pride Marching Band who will compete in state competition
