By Tom James
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts plan to approach Sunday’s home game with the New York Jets in much the same way they went into last week’s game with Jacksonville.
“All the healthy guys [are going to play]. I’m not going to assign any time periods [for how long players will be in the game]. We’re going to go into [playing the Jets] just like we did against Jacksonville. Go and try to win this thing. Play hard. And make adjustments as we go,” Colts coach Jim Caldwell said Friday.
The Colts should be able to welcome back rookie running back Donald Brown (chest) and veteran placekicker Adam Vinatieri (right knee). Both have practiced this week and barring any late problems, Brown and Vinatieri will be on the field Sunday.
Defensive end Dwight Freeney (abdomen) has practiced the last two days and is expected to be used the same way as he was against the Jaguars. Freeney played primarily in passing downs in the game, although he saw more work in the fourth quarter during Jacksonville’s last few offensive possessions.
His running mate at defensive end, Robert Mathis (quad), has been sidelined during practice this week and is not expected to see much, if any, playing time in the New York game.
“Donald Brown looks good. He’s been able to make it through all the practices. So we anticipate, obviously, that he’s going to play,” Caldwell said.
“The same with Adam. Both guys have come along and are making good progress. We’ll see [today] after they’ve had a chance to go through and see how they feel. If there’s no setbacks, I think they look pretty good. Freeney has actually practiced the last [three] days, so he feels good. But Robert hasn’t practiced. So it would take quite a bit of a change overnight for him to be full go.”
With the team placing wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez on injured reserve on Thursday, there is an open spot on the Colts active roster. Indianapolis, though, is expected to sign a player off of its practice squad before Sunday’s game.
n Weatherford coming home — Jets punter Steve Weatherford will have a chance to see friends and family this weekend as the former Terre Haute North standout will face Indianapolis on Sunday.
Weatherford signed a free agent contract with New York before the start of the regular season. The Jets had a revolving door with their punters during training camp and the preseason before the ex-University of Illinois kicker was added to the roster.
“Steve’s done a great job for us this year. We went through a few punters before we brought him in this summer,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said earlier this week. “He’s an athletic kicker and he’s been able to do some things for us in terms of special plays.”
New York’s special teams coach, Mike Westhoff, is a former assistant coach at Indiana State. Westhoff served as the Sycamores’ defensive line coach under former head coach Tom Harp during the 1977 season.
“Mike’s one of the best special teams coaches in the league,” Ryan said. “I’ve been around some really good special teams coaches and he is in that group. He’s done a great job with our group this year. We’ve had some miscues on a couple of field goal attempts this year, but Mike has been able to sort things out for us.”
