Colts at Bills: Wednesday Injury Report
By Evan Reller
The Indianapolis Colts open the NFL season this Sunday at the Buffalo Bills. Both teams are dealing with a number of injuries that could have a big impact in this Week 1 matchup.
The biggest injury for the Colts is likely starting cornerback Greg Toler who is suffering from a sore neck. The injury was suffered on Aud. 22 against the Bears and he hasn’t practiced since. Coach Chuck Pagano said he is still week-to-week, which could mean this injury will linger for some time.
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Darius Butler will start in his spot, but the Colts might be thin at corner this week. Both Sheldon Price (concussion) and rookie D’Joun Smith (knee) were limited in practice today. Price was cleared to resume practice, but wore a red jersey as he has yet to be cleared for contact. Generally, a limited participation that means they’ll be worked back into practice over the next couple of days and will hopefully be able to play by Sunday.
Vick Ballard was also held out of practice as he deals with a hamstring injury he re-aggravated during the final preseason game last Thursday. That means Frank Gore will likely be backed up by either Josh Robinson or Tyler Varga, both rookies.
Robert Mathis (achilles) and inside linebacker Nate Irving (knee) were both limited in practice today as well. Irving is a bit further along in his recovery than Mathis, and might be in a backup role Sunday. Pagano said Mathis is slowly getting more reps in and upped it to 15 snap today.
There is a sneaking suspicion that Mathis will play this weekend, but if he does it will be in a very limited role (likely just on third and obvious passing downs). Mathis has promised for a long time that he will be ready for the season opener, and Colts owner Jim Irsay said he expects to see Mathis play this month.
Buffalo Bill Injury Report
TE Charles Clay – knee, full participation
WR Marquise Goodwin – ribs, DNP
WR Percy Harvin – hip, DNP
WR Chris Hogan – knee, full participation
RB LeSean McCoy – hamstring, full participation
LB Tony Steward – knee, DNP
WR Sammy Watkins – hamstring, full participation
DE Mario Williams – calf, full participation
WR Robert Woods – hip, full participation