Through three games of the NFL season, Andre Johnson has not been a factor for the Indianapolis Colts. While the team has struggled altogether, the veteran receiver has been off to a particularly slow start. With just seven catches for 51 yards on the season, Johnson is not linking up with Andrew Luck and causing some frustration for the receiver. However, Johnson denies any issues with the offense and is simply focused on getting better.
Johnson signed with the Colts after being the franchise star in Houston. Now he is merely a role player for an Indianapolis team struggling to start the season. The expectation was that Johnson would come in and fill the void of Reggie Wayne and instead he has dropped passes on his highlight reel and was the target of three different interceptions. Johnson denies any frustration with the quarterback or role in the offense heading into Week 4.
"In coming to this team, I knew that we had a lot of guys here that can make plays," Johnson said, via ESPN.com. "You just have to wait [for] your time. Your time will come. I've had my fair share of being the No. 1 guy, catching eight or nine balls a game. My biggest reason for coming here was to come in and help as much as I can to win games. What's required of me in the first few games, it hasn't been what's been most of my career. I'm not upset. I'm here to win."
Things might not be getting better for the Colts. Luck is dealing with a shoulder injury. Head coach Chuck Pagano made it clear that he fully expects the quarterback to play in Week 4. However, Mike Wells of ESPN.com reported that while Luck was on the field for practice on Thursday, he was only handing the ball off and not really throwing the ball. All eyes are on the quarterback's right shoulder. If Luck were to miss time on the field, Indianapolis could have a hard time recovering.
"Take it day by day," Luck said, via ESPN.com. "I expect to play, that's for sure, but obviously I'm going to defer to the doctors and trainers on everything. You have to be on the field if you're helping your team, that's always part of the goal. You deal with stuff. To me, [the shoulder's] not that big of a deal. Manage it and go out and play."
The run game could be a major focal point in Week 4. Frank Gore has 174 yards and one score on the season. He could be the leader of the offense on Sunday while TY Hilton and Donte Moncrief continue to lead the receiving game. Rookie Phillip Dorsett seems to be the major reason Johnson is not a target as the rookie has 113 yards off five catches for one touchdown on the season.
