Indianapolis Colts Football

Da’Rick Rogers expected to make his NFL debut on Sunday

Over the past few weeks, Colts fans attention on the status of Da’Rick Rogers rivals that of any player on the team.

Fans are clamoring to find out when the ultra talented Rogers will make his NFL debut.

Could it be this weekend for the rookie wide receiver?

“I would venture to say that’s a good probability,” Chuck Pagano said on Wednesday when asked if the four current receivers on the 53-man roster will be active this weekend.

The enthrallment in Rogers stems from him leading the SEC with 67 receptions for 1,040 yards during his 2011 season at Tennessee.

Off the field issues caused Rogers to go undrafted this past April but it appears he’s beginning to realize that the clock is ticking on his chances.

“I’ve been doing everything Coach Pagano has asked of me and a little more,” Rogers said on Wednesday. “Coming in early, staying late, putting in the extra work I need to get acclimated from the offense, letting these guys know I’m here learning and helping the team out.”

Pagano talked about that acclimation period that players go through when making the move from a practice squad (where they are mostly scout team players during practice) to the 53-man roster (where they are actually running the Colts playbook at practice).

Now, it’s extended reps with Andrew Luck and the Colts quarterback likes what he sees from the 6-3, 215-pound Rogers.

“He’s been doing a great job, focused, done a great job learning the playbook so I’m excited for him and excited about him,” Luck said.

And Pagano’s thoughts on Rogers?

“Now he’s at a point where he’s picked things up and we are going to put him out there and give it a shot,” Pagano said of Rogers.

“He’s a big, athletic, talented guy. He’s put in the time, been here early, stays late so I’m fully confident that the kid can go out there and make a play for us.””

Rogers knows the Colts are searching for some production from a receiver not named and T.Y. Hilton and the rookie is relishing the chance to make an impact.

“Coach Pagano has put that pressure on us. “That pressure makes dominance so just go out there and do what you go to do,” Rogers said.

“It’s football. It’s a child’s game and we just got to go out and execute.”

Eye on the Prize: AFC South Standings After Week 12

Each week Colts.com will take a look at the rest of the AFC South and review the previous weekend’s games.

Here is a look after Week 12:

Jaguars 13, Texans 6

-The Texans dropped their ninth straight contest on Sunday. Houston was just 4-of-15 on third-down and gained 218 yards on the afternoon. Houston was within one score for the entire second half but could not get over the hump in ending the league’s longest losing streak. No Texans receiver recorded more than 37 receiving yards on Sunday.

NEXT GAME: New England, Sunday at 1:00 p.m. EST

Titans 23, Raiders 19

-Thanks to a 14-play, 80-yard fourth-quarter drive, the Titans moved to two games back in the AFC South. Kendall Wright (103 receiving yards) scored the game-winning touchdown with 10 seconds remaining. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 320 yards and rookie wide receiver Justin Hunter also went over 100 yards receiving (108), along with catching a third quarter touchdown. The Titans were 10-of-18 on third-down.

NEXT GAME: Indianapolis, Sunday at 1:00 p.m. EST

Jaguars 13, Texans 6

-The Jaguars won for their second time in the past three weeks with a road victory in Houston on Sunday. Jacksonville running back Maurice Jones-Drew ran for a season-high 84 yards on 14 carries and his first quarter touchdown proved to be the only TD of the afternoon. Quarterback Chad Henne threw for 239 yards and the Jaguars had three different receivers record at least 60 yards receiving. The Jaguars will now play two games in five days beginning on Sunday in Cleveland.

NEXT GAME: @Cleveland, Sunday at 1:00 p.m. EST.

2013 AFC South Standings

Indianapolis 7-4

Tennessee 5-6

Houston 2-9

Jacksonville 2-9

Remaining Schedules