Mike Wells, ESPN Staff Writer 10y

Wayne wants first tackle to be in preseason

ANDERSON, Ind. -- Indianapolis Colts veteran receiver Reggie Wayne continues to make progress from the torn ACL that ended his season in Week 7 of 2013. He has yet to have any setbacks, and the only time he hasn’t practiced is when coach Chuck Pagano has pulled him out as a precaution.

The next significant test for Wayne will be how he reacts after getting tackled for the first time. Wayne, 35, wants that first tackle to be in a preseason game and not in the regular-season opener against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 7.

“I’d rather kind of get it out of the way,” Wayne said. “When that happens, I don’t know. I really don’t know what the coaches have planned for me. I don’t know how many snaps I need. I do understand that I do love the game of football and I want to play. I want to be out there. I want to be with my teammates. As far as the preseason, we’ll just play it by ear and see what they have in store for me. I’m truly going to take precaution, but I do not want my first tackle, my first collision, to be a regular-season game.”

The Colts open the preseason Aug. 7 at the New York Jets.

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