Without veteran kicker Matt Gay on Sunday, the Indianapolis Colts had to rely on rookie Spencer Shrader, who was able to hold his own in his NFL debut.
Gay has been working through a hernia injury that he suffered in the Colts’ preseason finale against Cincinnati. This is an injury that required surgery. Gay did not practice all week but had done some kicking and was listed on Friday as questionable.
Once it became clear that Gay would not be able to go, the Colts elevated Shrader from the practice squad. Shrader had been with the team throughout training camp, signing after this past April’s draft as an undrafted rookie out of Notre Dame.
The Colts didn’t end up needing Shrader on any field goal attempts, but he did connect on all three extra points, which, at 33 yards, is a kick that certainly should be made but is no longer a given, especially when it’s a rookie making his first NFL start.
Shrader would also appear in two of the Colts’ three preseason games, making all four extra point attempts and going 2-for-2 on field goals, which included making a 56-yarder against the Bengals.
The next time the Colts will be on the practice field is Wednesday as they begin their on-field prep for their Week 2 matchup with the Green Bay Packers. At that time, we will get an update and perhaps an idea of whether or not Gay will return for this upcoming Sunday.