It was no surprise when Indianapolis Colts running back Ahmad Bradshaw opened training camp on the physically unable to perform list.
Recovering from January surgery on his right foot, Bradshaw spent the offseason in a walking boot and acknowledged Tuesday that he's still a couple weeks away from returning to practice, according to Kevin Bowen of the team's official website. Bradshaw, who signed with the Colts in June, told Bowen that after six years in the NFL, he "doesn't necessarily need preseason game reps."
The Colts play the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 11 and Bradshaw's former team, the New York Giants, on Aug. 18. Big Blue would make for a tantalizing return date, but we don't anticipate that. Asked if he needed to play in a preseason game at all, Bradshaw told Mike Chappell of The Indianapolis Star: "Not really."
That means more work for Vick Ballard, who has taken the majority of first-team snaps in Bradshaw's absence. The Colts don't view Ballard as a workhorse -- or they wouldn't have signed Bradshaw in the first place -- but he'll see plenty of carries in Pep Hamilton's "no-coast" offense, with Donald Brown, Kerwynn Williams and Delone Carter fighting for the No. 3 spot.
Bradshaw is the best runner and receiver in this backfield, but not until he's healthy.
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