The Indianapolis Colts' struggling defense stands to get a boost Sunday, as injured outside linebacker Robert Mathis intends to take the field.
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"That's the plan," Mathis said Thursday, according to the Indianapolis Star. "Look forward to being back out there with the fellas again."
The 10-year pro has been out since spraining his left knee in a Week 5 victory over the Green Bay Packers. He said watching his team from the sideline has been difficult.
"Very hard," Mathis said. "Never liked to be the guy that sits back and just watches. I always like to be in the fight."
Mathis still leads the Colts with five sacks, even after missing the last three games. The Colts have only 15 sacks on the season (18th in the league) and are dead last in the NFL in creating turnovers, with only three through seven games -- two interceptions and one fumble recovery.
The Colts have shown some growing pains moving from their standard 4-3, which they ran for years with Mathis and counterpart Dwight Freeney as the league's most dynamic pass-rushing duo, to new coach Chuck Pagano's 3-4 style.
Freeney, however, is just glad he's getting Mathis back on the field so the two can get back to rushing the quarterback, just like old times.
"It's great to have my partner in crime back," Freeney said.
Follow Kevin Patra on Twitter @kpatra
