The Colts have designated wide receiver Devin Funchess to return from injured reserve, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Funchess suffered a broken collarbone during his Indianapolis debut in Week 1, but the Colts had been holding out hope that he’d be able to return to the field late in the regular season. While Funchess is back at practice as of Wednesday, head coach Frank Reich said this week that Funchess needs to prove his health before he returns to game action.
“Technically, he could be cleared to play the game,” Reich said. “But he’s got a few more boxes to check. We have to make sure he’s good to go because this will really be his first week of practice. Then we still have to see how much he’ll be able to do Wednesday. We’re really encouraged. I think there’s another box he has to check before we can go full boar on the practice.”
The Colts signed Funchess to a one-year, $10MM deal in March after he spent the first four years of his career with the Panthers. The only free agent receiver who collected more on an annual basis this offseason was Tyrell Williams, who inked a four-year, $44.4MM pact with the Raiders. In his stint with Carolina, Funchess averaged 40 receptions, 558 yards, and five touchdowns per season.
When he does officially return, Funchess will join a Colts wide receiver depth chart by T.Y. Hilton, who is currently battling injury himself. Indianapolis has made heavy use of its tight ends in the passing game this season, leaving Zach Pascal as the only Colts wideout besides Hilton with more than 20 receptions on the year.