Colts wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey’s work in Colts camp earned him some praise from coach Chuck Pagano recently, especially when it came to the growing connection that the new member of the team was making with quarterback Andrew Luck.
That progress may be on hold for a little bit. Craig Kelley of the Colts website passes along word that Heyward-Bey sprained his left knee at the team’s practice on Sunday. There’s nothing more about the extent of the injury or possible timetables for return at this point, but it’s a good bet that Heyward-Bey will see some time on the sideline and miss next weekend’s preseason opener against the Bills next Sunday.
Pagano’s positive words accompany ones from offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton, via Adam Caplan of ESPN, that have Heyward-Bey as the very fast receiver with frustratingly inconsistent hands that he was in Oakland. The Colts see him as one of their top three receivers along with Reggie Wayne and T.Y. Hilton, so they’ll be hoping that those hands hold onto more balls.
The answer to that wish and other issues regarding Heyward-Bey’s role in the offense will have to wait until there’s an update about his health, though.