Tag: latest colts news

Colts vs. Raiders: Initial injury report for Week 17

Here is the Wednesday injury report for the Colts and Raiders for Week 17.

The Indianapolis Colts (8-7) and Las Vegas Raiders (7-8) released their initial injury reports Wednesday ahead of the Week 17 matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Here’s a look at the initial injury report for the Colts in Week 17:

*DNP = Did Not Participate — LP = Limited Participant — FP = Full Participant*

Notes

  • The Colts held a walkthrough Wednesday so participation levels are estimations.
  • WR Michael Pittman Jr. started off the week with a limited tag, which is encouraging. This will be a situation to monitor throughout the entire week, though, even if/when he’s cleared.
  • RT Braden Smith would have practiced in full, which is a major deal considering he hasn’t practiced since injuring his knee in Week 13.
  • RB Zack Moss would have been a limited participant if the team practiced, showing he’s making progress after not practicing at all last week.

Here’s a look at the initial injury report for the Raiders in Week 17:

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Report: Colts’ Julian Blackmon could return for potential playoff run

Julian Blackmon reportedly could return if the Colts make a deep playoff run.

Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon will miss the remainder of the regular season due to a shoulder injury, but there’s a slight chance he could return if the team makes a deep playoff run.

Blackmon is forced to sit out at least the next four games, and it hasn’t been made clear how severe the shoulder injury is. In theory, Blackmon would be eligible to return if the Colts made the playoffs and advanced to the AFC Championship Game.

That obviously would be a pretty big surprise even with the Colts in the thick of the playoff hunt, but crazier things have happened.

Still, James Boyd of The Athletic reported that Blackmon could return for the playoffs, suggesting this isn’t a long-term injury.

Blackmon was enjoying a Pro Bowl caliber season up to this point. In 15 games (all starts), Blackmon recorded 88 tackles (65 solo), four interceptions (team-high), eight passes defended and five tackles for loss—all of which were career-high marks.

With Blackmon out for the rest of the regular season, the Colts will rely on second-year safety Nick Cross to take the role of the strong safety next to fellow second-year Rodney Thomas II. They also signed Henry Black off the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad.

Another big question surrounding Blackmon is his future with the Colts. Coming off a career year, he’s also in the final year of his rookie contract.

His performance in 2023 certainly warrants the discussion of a new deal, but the team also has to factor in an extensive injury history that includes a torn ACL (2019) and a torn Achilles (2021). He hasn’t played a full season since he was drafted in 2020.

While that discussion is best suited for the offseason, the Colts defense will take a massive blow without Blackmon in the secondary, and there’s a strong chance his 2023 season is over.

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Colts’ Michael Pittman Jr. still in protocol but ‘progressing well’

Michael Pittman Jr. remains in the concussion protocol but is progressing well.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. remains in the concussion protocol but is making progress, head coach Shane Steichen told the media Wednesday.

Pittman suffered a concussion after taking a nasty hit from Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee in Week 15, a hit that got him suspended without pay for the remainder of the regular season.

Despite progressing through the protocol in Week 16, even getting cleared by the independent neurologist before the team traveled to Atlanta, Pittman Jr. had a setback with symptoms after the team’s arrival.

He was then ruled out the day before the game, and the offense was much worse because of it.

Pittman Jr.’s value to the team has been apparent throughout the entire season, but it was no more obvious than watching the Colts offense in Week 16. Pittman Jr.’s absence was vital in the struggles of the Colts offense as it was clear they had no catalyst in the passing game.

Hopefully, he will be able to return to the field this week as the Colts prepare to host the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium in what is a crucial matchup with heavy playoff implications.

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Colts’ Julian Blackmon placed on IR with shoulder injury

Julian Blackmon (shoulder) has been placed on IR.

Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon was placed on the injured reserve list due to a shoulder injury, the team announced Tuesday.

Blackmon suffered the shoulder injury during the Week 16 loss against the Atlanta Falcons and was replaced by Nick Cross.

This is a pretty big blow to the secondary considering the strong season Blackmon was having. In 15 games (all starts), Blackmon recorded 88 tackles (65 solo), four interceptions (team high), eight passes defended and five tackles for loss—all of which were career-high marks.

Blackmon will now miss the end of the regular season and potentially a wild-card game if the Colts make it that far.

The Colts will likely lean on the tandem of Rodney Thomas II and the aforementioned Cross as the starting safeties. They also signed Henry Black from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad to the active roster.

Blackmon is in a contract year and is scheduled to be a free agent during the 2024 offseason.

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Colts’ Michael Pittman Jr. ruled out after concussion setback

Michael Pittman Jr. has been ruled out after having a setback with his concussion.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. was downgraded from questionable to out ahead of the Week 16 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, the team announced Saturday.

The reason was due to a setback Pittman had with a concussion he sustained last week. This comes as a big surprise considering Pittman passed through the protocol and was cleared by an independent neurologist, which was the final step in the protocol.

However, ESPN’s Stephen Holder reported that after Pittman traveled with the team to Atlanta, he developed concussion symptoms Saturday. He was still listed as questionable due to an additional shoulder injury, but he was still expected to play before the setback with the concussion symptoms.

This is a massive blow to the Colts offense. Pittman has been nothing short of consistent throughout the entire season. He has 99 receptions for 1,062 yards and four touchdowns.

Pittman will be entered back into the league’s protocol, which means his status is in question for the Week 17 game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Colts have a crucial game Sunday against the Falcons. They currently hold the No. 6 seed in the AFC playoff race thanks to the Cincinnati Bengals’ loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and they find themselves in a three-way tie for the AFC South lead.

Losing Pittman is a big deal for the Colts offense, and it will be up to rookie Josh Downs to lead the receiving corps.

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Colts’ Zack Moss downgraded to OUT vs. Falcons

Zack Moss (forearm) has been downgraded to OUT for Week 16.

Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss (forearm) was downgraded from questionable to out ahead of the Week 16 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, the team announced Saturday.

This doesn’t come as much of a surprise considering Moss failed to log a practice all week. The fact that he was given a questionable injury designation was slightly a bigger surprise.

While Moss’ absence certainly hurts the depth of the backfield, the Colts will see the return of star running back Jonathan Taylor from a three-week absence following thumb surgery. Taylor was a full participant at practice all week.

The Colts also have Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson on the active roster so they will be going with three backs on Sunday with Taylor seeing the majority of the work.

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Colts vs. Falcons: Final injury report for Week 16

Here is the final injury report for the Colts and Falcons in Week 16.

The Indianapolis Colts (8-6) and Atlanta Falcons (6-8) released their final injury reports Friday ahead of the Week 16 matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Here’s a look at the final injury report for the Colts in Week 16:

*DNP = Did Not Participate — LP = Limited Participant — FP = Full Participant*

Notes

  • RB Jonathan Taylor is ready to return after practicing in full all week.
  • RT Braden Smith will miss his third consecutive game due to a knee injury he suffered in Week 12.
  • WR Michael Pittman Jr. cleared the concussion protocol but is still questionable due to a shoulder injury. He’s expected to play.
  • RB Zack Moss is questionable after not practicing all week.

Here’s a look at the final injury report for the Falcons in Week 16:

Colts promote CB Chris Lammons to active roster

The Colts promoted CB Chris Lammons to the active roster.

The Indianapolis Colts signed cornerback Chris Lammons from the practice squad to the active roster, the team announced Friday.

Because of the team-imposed suspensions of wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie and cornerback Tony Brown, the Colts had two open spots on the 53-man roster. One of them was filled by running back Tyler Goodson on Tuesday.

Lammons will be taking the spot of Brown, who contributed mostly on special teams. He will also provide some depth in the slot behind Kenny Moore II if needed.

Lammons has spent the season on the Colts’ practice squad after he served a three-game suspension to begin the campaign. He has appeared in two games this season, working as a special teams player on both occasions.

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