INDIANAPOLIS — Colts coach Chuck Pagano said running back Frank Gore has taken a lot of hits over the past several games and that the total number of collisions has taken a toll physically.
“He’s like everybody else. He took some shots (against Tampa Bay last week). He’s beat to crap. But he’s a warrior. He’s a tough son of a gun and he finds a way to get himself right by (each) Sunday,” Pagano said. “And he’ll be right come Sunday night at 8:30 (p.m. against the Pittsburgh Steelers). We’re going to need him.”
Gore is averaging 3.6 yards on 181 carries this season.
Pagano said the Colts will need a stronger running game over the team’s final five regular-season games if Indianapolis wants to reach the postseason.
“Right when you start to make progress in the run game, then you lose (left tackle Anthony Castonzo to injury). Then you gotta take the right tackle (Joe Reitz) and move him to left tackle (and) take a guy from Mars (rookie offensive tackle Denzell Goode from Mars Hill) and fill him in,” Pagano said. “I’ll keep working at it.”
–Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck sounds like an old “Dirty Harry” movie when he discusses the success that he has had while filling in for injured starter Andrew Luck.
“I know my limitations,” Hasselbeck mused. “That might actually be my strength. But I have a lot of limitations.”
Hasselbeck is 4-0 as a starter this year. He has passed for 1,023 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions for a 94.4 passer rating.
He is also seeking his fourth consecutive game with two touchdown passes, and is the third quarterback in the Super Bowl era to win four consecutive games at the age of 40 or older.
NOTES: The Colts added former Carolina and Atlanta offensive tackle Pierce Burton to the practice squad and released offensive tackle John Wetzel. … Running back Daniel “Boom” Herron will be the primary guy to rotate with Gore on Sunday. Herron was re-signed to the team’s active roster late last week after spending time with Buffalo earlier this season. He had spent the last couple of seasons with Indianapolis before being released in September. “We all saw (what he could do) when he was here,” Pagano said. “He can be an every-down back when Gore needs a spell on the early downs.”
MEDICAL WATCH: Quarterback Andrew Luck (kidney/abdominal) said Wednesday that he has been throwing in recent days. Luck has not practiced since he was injured in the fourth quarter of the Colts’ Nov. 8 home game against Denver. He confirmed that he has been throwing “a fair amount” and says that the pain level is “minimal.” Luck, though, would not offer a time line when he might return to practice and to games. He said that the team’s medical staff would let him know when he is able to get back on the field.
–Guard Hugh Thornton (shoulder) and safety Mike Adams (ankle) did not practice Wednesday but could return to the field later this week and play against Pittsburgh. … Left tackle Anthony Castonzo (knee) and inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman (hamstring) sat out Wednesday’s workout and remain listed as week-to-week.
–Rookie wide receiver Phillip Dorsett (fibula) is continuing to make progress towards a full recovery. Dorsett has been working with the team’s training staff and the rehab staff with an eye toward returning to game action by the end of the regular season.