Robert Mathis and Jim Irsay continue to twirl in their dance of dueling optimism and caution with regards to the linebacker's health.
Irsay said in March that the veteran could be out until November, to which Mathis stated at the time he'd be "clicking at camp."
Mathis doubled down earlier this month on the belief he'll be back next month at training camp and ready to go in September. On Thursday, he told the Indianapolis Star that his top goal is to "be ready for Sept. 13," when the Colts kick off in Buffalo against the Bills.
Irsay parried on Wednesday night at his team's minicamp session, urging a cautious approach to expectations when it comes to the 34-year-old pass rusher.
"Obviously, Robert is optimistic, and he's a fast healer, and you just don't know," Irsay said, via the Indy Star. "(But) I would say I don't see him being football ready for the beginning of training camp, where he'd be a full-go guy and that sort of thing.
"I think time will tell," Irsay continued. "Obviously, Robert wants to be back as soon as he can be. We want him back as soon as he can be, but we also want to make sure when he comes back he's 100 percent healthy and ready to go."
The Colts are wise to bring along the pass rusher slowly after he suffered a torn Achilles tendon last year. Indy needs the veteran to disrupt quarterbacks in January, not July.
"Again, I talked about early November, could be sooner than that certainly, but as far as the start of training camp, I don't see him being a full-go guy when we're starting in Anderson (Indiana, where the Colts hold camp)," Irsay said.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast welcomes NFL Media's Jeff Darlington to discuss minicamp stories and Conor Orr calls in for the debut of the new segment, "Orr you kidding me?" Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.
