Reggie

Wayne

Seeking a “laboratory approach” with his offensive staff, Steichen has promised all of his assistants “significant input.” Wayne apparently played a role in the Colts’ third-round selection of receiver Josh Downs. Clearly committed to coaching — Wayne is back after suffering through Indy’s disastrous 2022 — the 44-year-old is an intriguing sideline prospect.

Hired last March, Wayne has decided to stick around even after Frank Reich was sent packing. We would assume Wayne was more of a Jim Irsay hire, anyways. Not that Wayne isn’t qualified. Wayne’s main problem in 2022 was a lack of talent to work with. Hopefully the Colts get a quarterback capable of further unlocking Michael Pittman in 2023.

This move had been rumored for some time. 43-year-old Wayne hung up his cleats following the 2014 season. He has done some volunteer coaching work in the intervening eight years, but this will be the first time he gets paid. The best players don’t always make the best coaches, but Wayne should have so much to offer what is currently a shaky receiver room in Indy.

Long-time Colts beat writer Mike Chappell added that the move is “expected” to be finalized in a few weeks. Wayne has done some coaching in training camps before as a volunteer, but has no formal coaching history. He also did some work as a positional expert at Bleacher Report for the 2021 Draft. It’s a low-stakes hire with a ton of fan goodwill behind it as Wayne is a potential Hall of Famer who was a Colts institution.

Well, that may pay for one-third of Peyton Manning’s yearly contract. The Colts still need to restructure or release defensive lineman Chad Bratzke, offensive tackle Adam Meadows and backup quarterback Brock Huard.

Said Asomugha, “I feel a lot better this week. The best I’ve felt. ... I’m not where I was before the injury, but it’s a lot better than it was.” The shutdown corner has lived up to his title when he’s found the field, which has been few and far between of late. He’ll square off against WR Reggie Wayne in Week 16, who comes in as our No. 3 wideout play.

It doesn’t appear to be a serious injury. He’s back in.

He had his knee worked on during the first half, then caught only one pass in the second half. It may be nothing because he played through the injury, but make sure he practices this week.

Manning’s recovery timetable is 2-3 months at minimum. Per Mort, there’s no word yet on the possibility of injured reserve. We imagine the Colts will hold off on that decision as long as possible, though the season is circling the drain. Manning won’t play before Halloween and possibly not until Thanksgiving. Kerry Collins is still just a low-end QB2 in what will likely be a more run-oriented offense than it’s been under Manning. Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Austin Collie, and Pierre Garcon all take severe blows.

“It took me two years to learn this offense,” Wayne said. “Now, you mean to tell me you’re gonna bring in somebody and he’s gonna learn it in 18 days? ... Our whole motto’s always been ‘the next man up.’ And then we went and got somebody else. I’m like, ‘Well, that’s not how we roll, really.’” It looks like Wayne will finally get his wish this week.