Good news for the Indianapolis Colts, as veteran kicker Adam Vinatieri will return to practice tomorrow, according to Pro Football Talk. Vinatieri hasn't played at all this preseason due to a knee injury.
Undrafted rookie Cole Hedlund, a North Texas product, has been kicking for the Colts. Hedlund has played well throughout the preseason, but has pretty much no shot at making the roster because of Vinatieri. The Colts will likely try and dangle Hedlund as trade bait, maybe for a late round pick.
Vinatieri is an NFL institution at this point. This will be his 24th season playing in the NFL. He holds the all-time record for points scored, and has been a reliable kicker his entire career.
The Colts are a team that has high expectations for 2019. After making the Wild Card spot last year and advancing to the divisional round, hopes are even higher. General manager Chris Ballard has added enough talent over the offseason to make the Colts into a serious contender. Justin Houston, Rock Ya-Sin, and Parris Campbell are all additions that can push Indianapolis to the AFC crown.
While the talent of the Colts roster is undeniable, championship hopes all lean on one thing. If quarterback Andrew Luck is healthy, Indianapolis can beat anyone. But if Luck isn't ready to go, then the Colts become a middle-of-the-pack team at best.
If the Colts do end up in a close playoff game, both teams know that Indianapolis has a kicker they can rely on.
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