When Colts receiver Reggie Wayne suffered a torn ACL six months ago, the biggest question was whether he’d be ready to work on the first day of training camp. Now Wayne says that’s not a question at all.
Wayne told WNDE that he expects his doctor to clear him for all the movements an NFL wide receiver needs to make -- running, cutting and planting -- within the next few weeks. And Wayne said that the last hurdle will likely be convincing Colts coach Chuck Pagano that he’s good to go, as Pagano is likely to take it easy on his veteran receiver.
“I’m way ahead of schedule,” Wayne said. “I feel great. I’m looking good. I can’t wait. . . . I’ll be ready way before training camp but I’m sure Coach Pagano won’t be willing to take the leash off me until training camp.”
NFL players so frequently proclaim themselves ahead of schedule on recovery ACL injuries that it may be time to change the standard schedule. But while there are a handful of players like Adrian Peterson who can come back from a torn ACL and look better than ever, there are also a lot of players who need a lot more time to recover than they might like to admit.
Which means that Pagano will be wise to exercise caution with Wayne. Even if Wayne sounds like he wants to put on the pads and get on the field today.