By Tom James
TERRE HAUTE — After mulling over all of their options, the Indianapolis Colts have signed former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Hank Baskett as a temporary replacement for injured starter Anthony Gonzalez.
Baskett reportedly inked a one-year contract with the Colts. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Gonzalez apparently will not have to undergo surgery on his right knee, which he hurt in the first quarter of last week’s home game with Jacksonville. While team officials have yet to disclose the full extent of the injury, there have been reports that the former Ohio State receiver sprained the posterior cruciate ligament in the knee.
He is expected to be out for at least four weeks, returning in time for the Colts’ Oct. 25 road game with the St. Louis Rams. That timeline, though, is not set in stone. According to head coach Jim Caldwell, Gonzalez could be out anywhere from two to eight weeks.
“What’s been reported is somewhere between two to eight weeks. It depends on his progress during that time period. I leave that up to the physicians,” Caldwell said Thursday. “Whenever I can, I simply echo what they told us. They are the professionals at it. I pray for him and hope he gets better quickly.”
Baskett, who practiced with Indianapolis Thursday, started six games in 2008 and had 33 receptions for 440 yards and three touchdowns with Philadelphia. He became the odd man out in the Eagles’ receiver rotation when the team brought in quarterback Jeff Garcia earlier this week.
The former University of New Mexico receiver was waived by Philadelphia on Tuesday. The team had drafted Jeremy Maclin and Brandon Gibson in the offseason.
“[Thursday’s practice] went pretty well. It’s been a long [day]. I had an early flight [Thursday] morning and a lot of things to get done once I got [to Indianapolis]. But I’d say that the first day went very smooth,” Baskett said. “I’ve got a lot of catching up to do. And I can expect to go out there and to do what I can to help this organization. We’ve got a great organization. I’m excited to be able to come in and have an opportunity like the one that they’ve given me to come in here and provide some assistance to this team.
“It’s definitely going to be a crash course [in learning the Colts’ offense]. Everybody talked about Philadelphia’s offense. That was a lot to learn. But coming in [to Indianapolis] during the season and getting here, there’s definitely a lot to learn. But it was good. [Colts quarterback] Peyton [Manning] and the guys stayed out there [at the end of practice] with me to throw a couple [pass] routes and just work me in. I’ve got a lot to learn. But I’m definitely up to the challenge.”
Indianapolis worked out three other veteran receivers over the past few days — David Patten, D.J. Hackett and Chad Jackson — before finally settling on Baskett, who had 72 catches for 1,052 yards and six touchdowns in 48 career games with the Eagles.
“It’s good to have another veteran [receiver]. We’ll catch him up to speed as much as possible. If we had to put him into play [this week against Miami], he’d be ready,” Manning said. “This is not an offense to learn in a couple of days. But he’s been in a complicated [offensive] system in Philadelphia and he’s a veteran. He can only help us.”
An undrafted free agent who originally signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2006 before being traded to the Eagles, Baskett won’t be the only options for Manning. Second-year receiver Pierre Garcon and rookie Austin Collie are already in place and are expected get the bulk of the work as Gonzalez’ immediate replacements.
Garcon made strong strides in the spring and during training camp. Collie spent his off days this week (Tuesday and Wednesday) at the Colts complex watching video in preparation for this week’s game at Miami. That impressed the Indianapolis quarterback.
“We do have young players in Pierre and Austin Collie. It’s fair to say that with young guys in there, you’re going to lean on your veteran players. There’s no question that Reggie [Wayne], Dallas [Clark] and Joseph [Addai] will be featured in the game plan. But at the same time, it’s the NFL,” he said.
“You can’t draw up a play and say ‘This ball has to go to Dallas Clark.’ You can call it that way, but the defense usually has different looks that you might not expect. Pierre and Austin, they’ve got to be ready at all times. And I believe they will. Pierre’s work hard in his time here. Austin, he was over here for six hours the last two days, on his off days, studying film. You like to see that in a young player. I feel good about those guys being ready.”
• Reality show star — For those occasional NFL fans who think they’ve heard of Baskett but aren’t quite sure, he may be better known as the husband of reality television personality Kendra Wilkinson.
Wilkinson was formerly featured on the E! Channel’s “The Girls Next Door” and now has her own show, “Kendra,” on the cable channel.
• Injury list — Besides Gonzalez, safety Jamie Silva (abdomen) did not practice Thursday. His availability for Monday night’s game at Miami has yet to be decided. Rookie defensive tackle Fili Moala (knee) did take part in Thursday’s workout and should be able to play this week.
Safety Bob Sanders (knee) is continuing his rehab work but no set deadline has been given for his return. Offensive tackle Charlie Johnson (back) sat out Thursday’s practice but is expected to start against the Dolphins. Offensive guard Jamey Richard (shoulder) had limited work on Thursday.
“[Silva and Sanders] are ramping up their activity a little bit more each and every day. Both will do a little bit more activity [Thursday],” the Colts coach said. “They have to just listen to what their body tells them and listen to what the doctors tell them. They are coming along.
“[Moala] could have played last week, possibly, if we really needed him.”
