Robert Mathis still leads the Colts in sacks, even though he’s missed the last three games.
So to say they need him back is an understatement.
Mathis told Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star he was playing Sunday when the Dolphins come to town, hoping to extend his streak of seven games with at least one sack. And it’s been hard watching them flounder without him.
“Very hard,” Mathis said. “Never liked to be the guy that sits back and just watches. I always like to be in the fight.”
Mathis sprained his left knee Oct. 7 against the Packers. He practiced Wednesday, but was given Thursday off to recover.
The Colts defense, however, hasn’t recovered while he’s been gone. They have just three sacks in Mathis’ absence, with Dwight Freeney struggling to play through a sprained ankle.
They also have just three takeaways on the season, a number which can be traced back to the lack of a pass-rush. Every other team in the league has at least seven, and their franchise low was 17 last year.