Indianapolis Colts left tackle Anthony Castonzo is feeling better than he ever has in his NFL career.
The 30-year-old Castonzo is entering his ninth year in the NFL. He dealt with nagging hamstring pulls which forced him to sit out the first five games last season.
Consequently, Indianapolis won just one of the five games Castonzo missed. When he returned, the Colts lost to the New York Jets, 42-34.
However, Indy went 9-1 the rest of the way and eventually reached the AFC Divisional Round against the Kansas City Chiefs.
“My body honestly feels better right now than I think it did my rookie year.” – @AnthonyCastonzo
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) May 16, 2019
Castonzo told Colts.com writer Andrew Walker (via Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper) he has been working with the team's staff during the offseason. They changed his workout regimen in order to improve his durability. It has paid big dividends so far.
“My body honestly feels better right now than I think it did in my rookie year stepping in here.
It's pretty crazy what they've done, and it's just making me feel good.
And it's exciting. It's exciting to be able to be going into a season at age 30 possibly playing my best football.”
According to Walker, Castonzo has been working with Colts director of sports performance Rusty Jones. The latter has a reputation of extending players' careers dating back to his days with the Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears.
By age, Anthony Castonzo’s the old man on the Colts’ offensive line, but a shift in the way he trains has him playing pain-free for the first time since college https://t.co/fmiU0xmVl6
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) May 16, 2019
Jones determined Castonzo has an imbalance in his hips. He included posterior chain exercises which strengthened his hips and hamstrings. They also removed excess pressure from his knees, per Walker.
Alper says Castonzo is entering the final year of his contract. With a rejuvenated body, Castonzo should exceed expectations in 2019. Don't act surprised if he gets a hefty extension from the Colts. He should help them become Super Bowl contenders this season.
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