A primary offseason worry for the Indianapolis Colts turned out not to be a worry at all.
Wide receiver Reggie Wayne and defensive end Robert Mathis, a pair of Pro Bowl selections who missed organized team activities and minicamps in the offseason because of contract issues, reported to training camp at Anderson University Sunday, as did all other veterans under contract.
First-round defensive end Jerry Hughes also agreed to a five-year deal with the Colts, according to a published report.
While the status of Wayne and Mathis was perhaps the most high-profile pre-training camp concern for the defending AFC champions, the health of two critical players is also a theme as the Colts camp got under way this week.
The two primary injury issues: Bob Sanders and Anthony Gonzalez.
Sanders, a two-time Pro Bowl safety who has missed 26 games the past two seasons, was working in camp. There had been reports in recent weeks that Sanders’ long-term availability could be an issue.
“Bob Sanders, when he was here in the spring, did a great job,” head coach Jim Caldwell said. “He looked good and moved around well. So, I would fully anticipate that.”
Gonzalez, a first-round selection in the 2007 NFL Draft, missed all but one game last season with a knee injury. He missed part of organized team activities with a hamstring injury, but spent some time in Tennessee working out with Colts quarterback Peyton Manning and second-year wide receiver Austin Collie.
“I had dinner with Gonzo last night and he sounds really good,” Manning said. “We had kind of July off and we spent a little time down in Tennessee some. Gonzalez and Collie came down there and worked out with me because he missed minicamp. He wanted to get down there and get some reps. He and I had three really good days of throwing where I thought he looked good and I thought he looked quick, had a good burst on all his routes. So his hamstring, I think, is fully healed.
“I know he’s really excited to be here in training camp and get started with truly kind of a fresh start to the 2010 season. I know the 2009 season was frustrating for him. So, I’m excited for him. There is going to be good, healthy competition at the wide receiver position all across the board. All those guys are going to make a big impact for our team this year,” Manning added.
Also on Sunday, the Colts addressed their cornerback depth by signing veteran Deshea Townsend, who spent each of his previous 12 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The move is notable because the Colts typically forego signing veterans, but they are relatively inexperienced at the spot with their top three: Kelvin Hayden, Jerraud Powers and Jacob Lacey. Hayden and Powers are expected to start, with Lacey at the nickel, but beyond that, there is no NFL experience on the roster.
Kevin Thomas, a cornerback selected in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft from Southern California, sustained a knee injury in the Colts’ rookie camp in early May and might not play this season.
