Colts prepared to face hostile Jaguars' squad

The Colts returned to the complex Tuesday for their only real practice of the week with their Thursday night date against Jacksonville looming.

At 1-7, Jacksonville sits at the bottom of NFL, tied for the league’s worst record. Their sole victory came against the Colts in week three of the regular season. Despite their dismal record, the two teams seem to have heated battles each time they meet.

“I don’t care what their record is, it’s always going to be some type of battle, some type of fight and that’s just them,” said rush linebacker Dwight Freeney. “They’re tough. They’re blue collar. They work hard. Their record doesn’t always show it but it’s always a good game.”

“If we don’t get their best shot, I’ll be shocked,” added interim head coach Bruce Arians. “They have a lot of pride in Jacksonville. Mike Mularkey is a hell of a coach. I’ve known him for a long time. We’re going to get everything they’ve got, both barrels. We had better be ready for it.”

The Colts will not have to face the Jaguars dominant star Maurice Jones- Drew, who has been a thorn in the side of the Colts’ defense for years. He’s been out for the past three weeks with a sprained foot.

“That does change [things] because he’s a load,” said defensive end Cory Redding. “He’s a dynamic back of course and you have to prepare for him different than anybody else. Again, I’m pretty sure next man up over there, their system applies just like it does over here. That person who played behind him prepares as a starter and now he is a starter. Our mindset is to stop every back that we face.”

The Colts also got dealt a major blow in the secondary Tuesday afternoon. Coach Arians said that starting cornerback Jerraud Powers will be out for Thursday’s game with a toe injury. That means the team with be without either starter; Vontae Davis was ruled out earlier this week.