Good news for the Indianapolis Colts: wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (neck) will be activated to return to practice on Wednesday, coach Frank Reich announced.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Hilton remains on injured reserve, but the activation is an encouraging sign. The veteran wideout was placed on IR on Sept. 2 after undergoing neck surgery for an injury he suffered in August.

“Certainly excited to have T.Y. back in the fold and out on the field,” Reich said. “Obviously that's a big, emotional boost to the team.”

Per NFL rules, Hilton's activation gives the Colts a three-week window to get him off IR and back on the field catching passes from QB Carson Wentz. Otherwise, he has to remain on IR all season. Hilton had been eligible to be activated the past two weeks, but the team did not feel he was quite ready, per Reich.

“I saw him last week, he was looking good, I saw him working out,” Reich said earlier this week. “I’ll let you guys know on Wednesday as soon as I can. Not sure on T.Y. I don’t think it was this week (that he’d return), but I think we’re getting close.”

The team will evaluate how Hilton looks in practice before deciding whether he can take the field for Week 6. The Colts (1-4) face the Houston Texans (1-4) in an AFC South matchup in Indianapolis on Sunday.

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The 31-year old WR re-upped for his 10th season in Indianapolis this past offseason on a one-year, $10 million deal. Over his previous nine years, Hilton has accrued 608 receptions, 9,360 yards, and 50 touchdowns in 133 games. He made four consecutive Pro Bowls from 2014-17.

In 2020, Hilton caught 56 passes for 762 yards and five TDs.

Linebacker Jordan Glasgow, also currently on IR, will be activated to return to practice this week, the Colts announced.