Coach Chuck Pagano says WR Austin Collie in for Indianapolis Colts vs Chicago Bears – NFL News
Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano has confirmed wide receiver Austin Collie has cleared all fitness tests and will be available for the season opener against the Chicago Bears this Sunday, which is rather a surprising development given the player had
suffered third consecutive concussion over the course of past two years.
Chuck said the team had put the player through rigorous battery of tests and he came out all cleared with his recovery and fitness, and therefore has been allowed to return to practice.
The coach was backed by some similar encouraging views from Austin’s colleagues who are in a state of surprise but happy that the player has recovered from the latest head injury at a remarkable pace.
Cornerback Jerraud Powers said:
"You talk to Austin, he acts like nothing ever happened. I'm sure he'll do what's best for his family and himself, and when you see him out there, it gives us a lot of excitement."
Safety Antoine Bethea had something similar to say of him:
"Yeah, he looked like the same, old Austin. He was catching passes, running good routes. If he didn't think he was ready, I don't think he'd be out there."
After watching him at practice for the first time since his return on Monday, the coach boasted about the higher level of Austin’s fitness. He in fact agreed to his teammates’ view that the workout gives an impression that the player has not suffered any
injury, let alone concussion, which is rather a serious setback and normally requires a longer period for recovery.
He said:
"Great, fresh legs, ran all over the place, looked good."
Austin was diagnosed with a full scale head injury only a couple of weeks ago, which unfortunately was his third in last 22 months. It was feared then that the player might be out for the season given the serious nature of the injury coupled with the fact
that he had a history of the problem.
He can consider himself lucky to have recovered to full health and fitness within the shorter span, avoiding the possibility of a longer absence.
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