Week 1 Preview: Lions at Colts

The encouraging news is that it looks as though veteran Kendall Langford, who’s rehabilitating from a minor offseason knee surgery, looks like he’ll continue his longest National Football League active streak to 129 consecutive games at the other starting defensive end spot-but may not be quite at full strength. Colts quarterback Andrew Luck was a surprise on the injury reports during the week, but he too did not appear on the final reports. When the team’s franchise quarterback, who missed nine games past year and dealt with a right shoulder injury, suddenly is limited in practice, it’s going to create quite a bit of attention.

Otherwise, one of the biggest storylines for the Colts will be whether Jack Mewhort could surprisingly start despite having suffered what was once thought to be potentially a season-ending injury to his knee in preseason. “The offense has to carry us while the injured, young defense finds its way and gets its footing, and that means protection for Andrew, no question about it”. He elected to hang up his cleats in the offseason, leaving the Lions wondering what life after Megatron will be like.

The ultra-competitive Luck was able to take a step back and re-evaluate things while out last season. But he was sacked 44 times and now faces a future without his go-to weapon. Remember the three Pro Bowls and three playoff appearances, including an AFC Championship game, in his first three years?

With wide receivers Golden Tate, Marvin Jones and Anquan Boldin, the Lions have the pieces to exploit a somewhat questionable Colts defense.

“Listen, what does buzz do?” Boldin proved he has a lot left in the tank and Tate may be the best all-around receiver on the team.

But what really matters is Luck’s play.

Caldwell spent 10 seasons on the Colts’ staff, the last three as head coach, before being fired in January 2012. Indianapolis doesn’t have almost as much talent on their defensive front, which means Matthew Stafford should have a chance to have a big day.

Pagano wouldn’t commit to Mewhort starting the 4:25 p.m. game at Lucas Oil Stadium, but there’s a sense he will, and it should give the line an important boost. All it would have taken would have been Pagano saying at his Wednesday presser that the Colts would limit Luck for precautionary reasons based on what happened past year. Tight end Eric Ebron and tackle Corey Robinson, who have ankle injuries, and center Graham Glasgow, with a toe injury, were all listed as full participants in drills yesterday. If the preseason is any indication, the Colts could be in for a big season. Indianapolis has won the last four meetings.