Bjoern Werner: 'I feel like when healthy, I can be a baller'

Many attempts have been made to explain the underwhelming performance of Colts outside linebacker Bjoern Werner.

Everything from his apparent lack of natural pass rush ability to the German native's short history playing American football has been cited as a possible impediment for the 2013 first-round pick.

But, as it turns out, the source of his problems might be something much less complex:

Injuries.

As much as Werner has tried to avoid using his assorted maladies as a convenient crutch, he finally gave in during a moment of honesty Wednesday. He knows what people have said about him. He knows the questions his play has raised. And he desperately wants to put an end to all the chatter.

But his body just hasn't allowed it, Werner said.

"It's that simple," Werner said. "Since I've entered the league, I haven't been healthy one time."

Werner has gone to great lengths to avoid making excuses. But reality is what it is.

In his rookie season, Werner battled foot and knee injuries that slowed his development. Last season it was a sore shoulder that derailed his season, causing coach Chuck Pagano to make a difficult decision in the season's biggest contest, the AFC Championship Game. Until then, Werner had been trying to gut it out in spite of the obvious toll the shoulder injury took.

"I tried to be a tough guy," Werner said. "I said, 'As long as I can walk or run, I'm going to be out there. Coach is going to have to make the decision. I'm not going to take myself out.'

"Well, when it was the most important, Coach just said (sitting out) was the best decision. It was tough for him to make that decision, too. But it was the best thing. He was honest about it. Whatever Coach Pagano says goes. But as a player, of course it was a blow. You never want to end the season like that."

It's not as if Werner has displayed All-Pro level performance in either of his first two seasons (though he has shown some flashes that remind you why the Colts made him the 24th overall pick two years ago).

But, to be fair, the best stretch of his brief career came in the early stages of 2014, before he was injured. Each of his four sacks came during the season's first seven games. That stretch included the most impressive game Werner has played as a pro, a 2-sack, 6-tackle performance Oct. 5 against the Baltimore Ravens.

Soon after, his play steadily declined. Werner went his last eight games of the regular season without registering a sack, despite playing an expanded role in the absence of injured star pass rusher Robert Mathis (torn Achilles).

You can ask Pagano backward and forward about what more Werner can do to be more effective. Pagano, like Werner finally is doing, circles back to one thing.

"The biggest thing for him is to just stay healthy," Pagano said. "We've seen him do it. I've got video evidence. We've got it on tape... If he can stay healthy, he'll have a great year. Because you have to be out there. The only way you gain confidence is by playing and making plays."

The confidence does not appear to be lacking. Werner, generally quiet and understated off the field, showed a rare hint of swagger while talking about his struggles.

"I don't want to sound cocky, but personally, I feel like when I'm out there and healthy, I can be a baller," he said. "I can do it all. You always have to get that mojo going of course. But I'm telling you, I'm confident I can be an NFL player and a starter in this league."

Those plans are temporarily on hold as Werner is still sidelined by the shoulder injury, preventing him from participating in the team's offseason practices (eight practices remain, including a three-day minicamp next month).

In the meantime, he's taking whatever steps he can to ensure he avoids injuries going forward. "Physical therapy, stretching, massages – all that stuff," he said.

Perspective is important here. Werner is just 24. He'll be back, presumably by the start of training camp in August at the latest. And when he does return, he promises to have a resolve about him.

"A lot of guys out there have had lows," Werner said. "But then they come back and turn it around. As long as I'm here with the Colts, I promise you, I'm going to give it my all. I love the game so much that I'm not going to take my foot off the pedal."

His attitude, it seems, will be fine. The question was and is whether his body will be, too.

Follow Star reporter Stephen Holder on Twitter: @HolderStephen.