Indianapolis Colts linebacker Robert Mathis. Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Robert Mathis was taken off the physically unable to perform list and placed on the active roster Tuesday.
Mathis’ return is sooner than expected from a torn Achilles suffered last September followed by months of rehabilitation work. Indications were that Mathis might not return until late September or early October.
But the 34-year-old veteran said in June that he was shooting to be back in time for the Colts’ season opener against the Buffalo Bills and it appears that he achieved his goal.
After leading the NFL in sacks in 2013 with 19 1/2, Mathis was suspended for the first four games of last season after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. The Achilles injury prevented him from returning from the suspension.
Entering his 13th season with the Colts, Mathis has 487 career tackles, 111 sacks and 48 forced fumbles.
