Austin Collie Expected to Play in Key AFC South Showdown Sunday

INDIANAPOLIS – The wait appears over for Austin Collie.

Collie, a second-year wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts who has dealt with injures much of the last two months, likely will play against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Colts coach Jim Caldwell said Thursday.

Collie has missed the last three games and four of the last five with a concussion sustained against the Philadelphia Eagles November 7.

"He looks good, and looks like he's going to be able to play," Colts coach Jim Caldwell said, as the Colts (7-6) prepare to play the Jacksonville Jaguars (8-5) at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis.

Outside linebacker Clint Session, practicing this week for the first time since sustaining an elbow injury November 1 against Houston, is less certain, Caldwell said.

"He's day-to-day," Caldwell said, adding that starting left tackle Charlie Johnson also is day-to-day with a chest injury.

Collie, who missed the game following the Eagles game, returned and played part of the first half against New England November 21. He has missed the last three games, and also missed a game with a thumb injury just before sustaining the concussion.

He has practiced on a limited basis the past two weeks, but returned on a full participation basis on Wednesday.

Collie's return is critical this week with the Colts playing host to the Jaguars in a critical AFC South game. The Colts recently lost three consecutive games and four of five following a slew of injuries, but in recent weeks, wide receiver Pierre Garcon – who did not play in a 31-28 loss to Jacksonville in Week 4 – has returned to full health and is playing as well as he has all season.

Wide receiver Reggie Wayne, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, leads the NFL in receptions with 94 for 1,213 yards and five touchdowns, and Collie's addition gives the Colts something they haven't had in the last two months: three receivers on the field at once capable of changing the game.

Collie, when healthy earlier this season, emerged not only as a quality slot receiver -- where he began developing last season -- but as a reliable player with the ability to make big plays down the field. He has 50 receptions for 562 yards and six touchdowns this season, and in limited time at New England, he caught five passes for 60 yards.

The Colts' offense, even with an 11-interception-in three-game stretch recently, has remained capable of scoring points. With Collie, the offense is more dangerous than in his absence, and while the team sill misses tight end Dallas Clark (on injured reserve with a wrist injury), Collie's return gives the offense more healthy elite-level skill players than they have had since early November.