Colts Notebook
Colts rookie LB expected to be out 3 months
By Mike Chappell
mike.chappell@indystar.com
The Indianapolis Colts' linebacker corps has taken a hit before the first official hit could even be delivered on the football field.
Rookie Tyjuan Hagler, one of the team's fifth-round draft picks, will miss at least the next three months while recovering from recent surgery to address a sports hernia.
Hagler, expected to compete for the backup job at middle linebacker behind projected starter Gary Brackett, played with the injury during his senior season at the University of Cincinnati. He participated in the Colts' rookie minicamp April 29-May 1, and had hoped to put off surgery until after his rookie season.
That changed after the team sent him to consult a specialist in Philadelphia. An examination revealed a muscle tear.
"They told me I wouldn't even make it through the preseason," Hagler said Sunday after watching another mandatory minicamp workout at the Union Federal Football Center. "It's pretty disappointing.
"They say I should be back by late September, early October. That's my goal."
The loss of Hagler represents a significant hit to the Colts' outlook at middle linebacker. Four-year starter Rob Morris remains unsigned and his apparent replacement, Brackett, has started only one game in two seasons.
During the past week, Kendyll Pope, who was expecting to concentrate on the strong-side spot, and Dominique Sims, a rookie free agent, took repetitions at middle linebacker.
"We're probably a little thinner than we'd like to be, but it gives us a chance to look at those guys," coach Tony Dungy said.
The coaching staff will review the five minicamp practices today to determine if a roster tweak at any position is required. Dungy conceded adding someone at middle linebacker "may be one of the things we look at."
Day off, then more
After tackling five mandatory minicamp practices over the weekend, the players are off today before resuming voluntary summer school work Tuesday.
Summer school, noted Dungy, "is more of a teaching mode" and at a slower pace. It consists of 10 additional practices through June 9 and involves shorter sessions with the players on the field once a day for less than two hours.
Dungy praised the players' performance at minicamp.
"We got some things done and gave us as a coaching staff our first chance to look at our young guys and see how they're working," he said. "It's an encouraging group."
Colts rookie LB expected to be out 3 months
By Mike Chappell
mike.chappell@indystar.com
The Indianapolis Colts' linebacker corps has taken a hit before the first official hit could even be delivered on the football field.
Rookie Tyjuan Hagler, one of the team's fifth-round draft picks, will miss at least the next three months while recovering from recent surgery to address a sports hernia.
Hagler, expected to compete for the backup job at middle linebacker behind projected starter Gary Brackett, played with the injury during his senior season at the University of Cincinnati. He participated in the Colts' rookie minicamp April 29-May 1, and had hoped to put off surgery until after his rookie season.
That changed after the team sent him to consult a specialist in Philadelphia. An examination revealed a muscle tear.
"They told me I wouldn't even make it through the preseason," Hagler said Sunday after watching another mandatory minicamp workout at the Union Federal Football Center. "It's pretty disappointing.
"They say I should be back by late September, early October. That's my goal."
The loss of Hagler represents a significant hit to the Colts' outlook at middle linebacker. Four-year starter Rob Morris remains unsigned and his apparent replacement, Brackett, has started only one game in two seasons.
During the past week, Kendyll Pope, who was expecting to concentrate on the strong-side spot, and Dominique Sims, a rookie free agent, took repetitions at middle linebacker.
"We're probably a little thinner than we'd like to be, but it gives us a chance to look at those guys," coach Tony Dungy said.
The coaching staff will review the five minicamp practices today to determine if a roster tweak at any position is required. Dungy conceded adding someone at middle linebacker "may be one of the things we look at."
Day off, then more
After tackling five mandatory minicamp practices over the weekend, the players are off today before resuming voluntary summer school work Tuesday.
Summer school, noted Dungy, "is more of a teaching mode" and at a slower pace. It consists of 10 additional practices through June 9 and involves shorter sessions with the players on the field once a day for less than two hours.
Dungy praised the players' performance at minicamp.
"We got some things done and gave us as a coaching staff our first chance to look at our young guys and see how they're working," he said. "It's an encouraging group."
