Colts believe Robert Mathis may be available for Week 1

Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano hinted that outside linebacker Robert Mathis could be available for the team's season opener against the Buffalo Bills.

Mathis missed the entire 2014 campaign with a torn Achilles, and some believed the Colts star wouldn't be available until November.

"There's a possibility," Pagano said to ESPN's Mike Wells. "He's been practicing and we're getting him more reps. Every day he's going through individual drills and we're increasing the snaps he takes during the course of practice with each day. It started out with five snaps and we’ll increase that number again (next) week. We'll just evaluate how the week goes. Rob is doing great. He's making great progress."

Mathis led the NFL with 19.5 sacks in 2013, and would instantly bolster the Colts' pass rush.

The 13th-year pro has spent his entire career with the Colts and could elevate the team to the Super Bowl. The six-time Pro Bowler hoisted the Lombardi Trophy in 2006.

If Mathis can't play Week 1, expect Erik Walden, Trent Cole, Bjoern Werner, and Jonathan Newsome to rotate at outside linebacker, with the former two expected to gain the majority of snaps.