Colts relatively healthy heading into AFC South matchup at Titans

INDIANAPOLIS - As they dive into divisional competition and seek their first 3-0 start since 2009, the Indianapolis Colts appear to have one thing in their favor.




Their health. Yes, knock on wood.




With Sunday's AFC South test against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville looming, Shane Steichen offered an encouraging injury update.




"No one is ruled out right now,'' he said Friday afternoon.




The main caveat: Cornerback Charvarius Ward, who missed last Sunday's win over Denver with a concussion, remained in the NFL's concussion protocol and needed to gain clearance from an independent neurologist.




He was a full participant in all three practices this week and is listed questionable on Friday's official report.




"Progressing well,'' Steichen said, "and we'll see how it goes.''




Also, Tyler Warren is questionable with a toe injury. The rookie tight end didn't practice Wednesday and was limited Thursday and Friday.




Defensive end Laiatu Latu, who missed the Broncos game with a hamstring injury, was limited Wednesday but full-go the next two days. He has no injury designation.




"He was just feeling it a little bit last week,'' Steichen said of Latu's hamstring injury, "so we wanted to get him through that last week. And . . . just monitor him this week.




"He was pretty good. We limited him during the week, but he felt good.''




The Titans will be at less than full strength.




Right tackle JC Latham (hip) and nose tackle T'Vondre Sweat (ankle) have been ruled out while backup safety Kevin Winston Jr. (hamstring) is doubtful.




There's no overstating the opportunity Sunday's trip to Nashville presents.




The Colts are in position for just the seventh 3-0 start in their Indy era, and have reached the playoffs in each of the six previous 3-0 openings. They haven't earned a playoff berth in four consecutive seasons for the first time in three decades and haven't won the AFC South since 2014.




The Titans, meanwhile, are hoping to avoid a second straight 0-3 start. Since earning the AFC's No. 1 seed in 2021 with a 12-5 record, they're 16-37.




"I think championships start in the division,'' Steichen said. "All games are important, but division games go a little harder.




"And I think our team understands that, and especially going on the road in a hostile environment, we got to be all over it. Communication, in and out of the huddle, defensively, offensively, special teams. It's going to be a big game for us.''




Tennessee is dealing with the natural growing pains of rookie quarterback Cam Ward. The No. 1 overall pick in the April draft is completing 50.8% of his passes and averaging 4.7 yards per attempt, both worst in the NFL. He's been sacked a league-high 11 times and lost two fumbles.




"You see a super talented guy,'' defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo said. "I think you see a guy that's willing to take some chances, calculated risks, and force the ball down the field some.




"I think that's part of any good quarterback. The guys that just play it safe never truly become what you really want as a quarterback. Those guys are going to make some mistakes, especially early in their careers. But I see a guy that sees the field well . . . I feel like they've got a heckuva quarterback.''




You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.



via: https://fox59.com/sports/colts/colts-relatively-healthy-heading-into-afc-south-matchup-at-titans/