The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

INDIANAPOLIS Colts wide receiver Mike Strachan spent much of training camp sidelined on the Physically Unable to Perform list, but returned ahead of schedule to take the field in the final two games of the NFL preseason.

The second year wideout finished his two preseason appearances with four receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown following his speedy recovery from knee surgery.

“It was great to see it through this process,” Strachan told reporters at training camp. “It’s been a long process for me, just trying to get back out there. I’ve been working. But I’m happy to be back with the team.”

After nearly three weeks on the PUP list, Strachan returned to the practice field and eventually live game action when caught three passes for 45 yards – including a 25-yard touchdown against the Detroit Lions.”

“I knew we didn’t have any time to waste — the first game was right around the corner,” Strachan said. “So I had to come strong and come ready to roll. My team depends on me, and I’m ready for whatever my team needs.”

The Colts will make cuts to finalise the 53-man opening day roster for the regular season at 4pm today.

Indianapolis head coach Frank Reich said he was impressed by Strachan’s ability to return to the field and produce immediately.

“It’s seemed like he’s gone from zero to 60 in a second,” Reich said. “There was a couple of weeks back I was thinking, I’m not even sure he’s going to be ready to practice until the season opener. Then, all of a sudden, he made a speedy recovery and next thing you know he’s out there catching a big-time touchdown in this game today. Credit to Mike and credit to our training staff.”

The Colts will look to acclimate Matt Ryan, the team’s new 15-year-veteran quarterback, to the fold, along with a relatively inexperienced group of wide receivers.

Michael Pittman Jr leads the wide receiver corps that also includes, Strachan, Parris Campbell, Alec Pierce, Ashton Dulin and Dezmon Patton.

“With Matt Ryan and the new additions I feel like this team is on the road to greatness and we can get to a championship,” Strachan said of the addition of the former league MVP to the locker room. “He’s someone we all look up to, it’s like having another coach. It’s crazy because he’s a great leader, he knows the game inside and out and he teaches us. He’s been a certified veteran for years in the NFL so he’s somebody that I listen to and look up to.”

Strachan’s standout performance last training camp led the seventh round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, to a spot on the 53-man opening day roster. Strachan totalled 10 receptions for 130 yards in three 2021 preseason games. In his preseason debut, Strachan finished with three receptions for 57 yards in the Colts’ 21-18 win over the Carolina Panthers.

In his second appearance, Strachan finished with two catches for 12 yards in the Colts’ 12-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings and concluded with five receptions for 61 yards in the Colts’ 27-17 win over the Detroit Lions.

He began the year with appearances in the first two games of the regular season but played sparingly for the remainder of the campaign.

In week one, he finished with two catches for 26 yards in the Colts’ 28-16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Strachan was on the field for 18 snaps and was targeted three times, a higher rate than any other receiver in the lineup.