Even though Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Deon Cain was selected in the 2018 NFL Draft, this is essentially his rookie season after missing his actual rookie campaign due to a torn ACL.
Through three games, Cain has emerged as the WR2 in the offense due to the injury of Devin Funchess, but there hasn’t been a lot of production from the Clemson product to begin the season.
Having missed his rookie season due to that torn ACL, offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni expects some growing pains during the 2019 season.
“He is still growing. I mean he is still recovering from his knee and he is still growing. I mean this is his rookie year, to say,” Sirianni told reporters Tuesday. “So he still has to go through, ‘Hey you made this mistake or you made this mistake,’ learn from it and grow from it.”
The former sixth-round pick has impressive athleticism and contested-catch ability, but he only has three receptions on six targets for 45 yards. Some of it has been due to the offense, but some it has been due to his lack of separation on certain routes.
Those growing pains are expected for Cain, though. He missed his rookie season and has worked all the way back from the torn ACL. He may not be 100% back from the knee just yet, and it will be a process of him progressing each week with his game and comfortability.
“So that is a constant process particularly in your first year. So we have a lot of confidence in him and we are just trying to continue to let him grow, make mistakes and make plays,” said Sirianni. “Hopefully his plays outweigh his mistakes and just grow as we go throughout the year.”
The Colts may have to rely on Cain and the rest of the wide receiver room with Funchess out and T.Y. Hilton dealing with a quad injury, but they are excited to see him progress this season—even if it means taking some lumps with growing pains.
