INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts aren’t losing any time getting their new star onto the sector, and so they equally aren’t shying away from the symbolism of their huge acquisition.
Sauce Gardner joined his new Colts teammates for apply Wednesday and intends to play Sunday in opposition to the Falcons in Berlin if he clears concussion protocol, in accordance with coach Shane Steichen.
Gardner was dealt to Indianapolis by the Jets for 2 first-round draft picks and receiver Adonai Mitchell simply earlier than Tuesday’s NFL commerce deadline. The star cornerback suffered a concussion within the Jets’ Week 8 win over the Bengals.
As a result of New York was on a bye week final week, Gardner didn’t have time to clear protocol.
However on Wednesday, in his first feedback for the reason that commerce, Steichen was clear about his intent to have Gardner swimsuit up in opposition to Atlanta.
“That is the plan,” Steichen stated.
And the Colts, it appears, have a lot grander plans for Gardner and their crew usually.
The blockbuster commerce, one of many boldest in franchise historical past, despatched a jolt of vitality by Colts headquarters and the locker room, particularly.
The Colts, tied for the most effective document within the NFL at 7-2, are being considered as making the transfer with the intent of contending for the Tremendous Bowl this season. The entrance workplace and possession made a win-now choice in forking over the long run picks, and gamers did not draw back from that concept.
“I feel they clearly imagine in our crew and we will do that 12 months,” quarterback Daniel Jones stated. “This 12 months, we have performed properly. There’s nonetheless so much in entrance of us and we have got to proceed to enhance and play properly week to week.
“However we as gamers, while you see that motion from possession, from administration and the coaches, I feel it undoubtedly offers you confidence.”
The transfer despatched a jolt of vitality by the locker room when gamers returned from a day without work on Wednesday morning. They have already got one in all NFL’s most prolific offenses, led by Jones and league dashing chief Jonathan Taylor.
Now, the Colts hope, they may discipline probably the most feared defensive backfields within the sport with Gardner, cornerback Charvarius Ward, slot nook Kenny Moore II and safeties Camryn Bynum and Nick Cross.
“That was most likely the most effective ‘good morning’ we bought in a crew assembly since I have been right here,” linebacker Zaire Franklin stated, recapping the environment in Wednesday’s preliminary crew gathering. “It is undoubtedly nice vitality simply understanding that the group and administration is believing in what you’ve got bought occurring.
“You wish to make them proper.”
Gardner didn’t converse with reporters, per concussion protocol pointers. However his school teammate and shut good friend, receiver Alec Pierce, stated Gardner will probably be rejuvenated by the commerce.
“I feel being on this setting and being on a crew that has a very good document, I feel that’ll deliver out the most effective out of him. … I feel he’ll play as much as the usual,” Pierce stated. “I am excited to see what he can do.”