Colts T.Y. Hilton Still Gametime Decision; Longshot to Play

According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton will still be a gametime decision for Sunday’s 4:25 EST matchup against the Denver Broncos, but remains a longshot to play:

The 4th-year veteran is dealing with a sprained foot and hasn’t practiced all week. Hilton is officially “questionable”, but it’s looking doubtful that he’s actually able to play today. He had an MRI earlier this week, but it looks as though the Colts offense will be without their go-to wide receiver.

On the season, Hilton has 38 receptions for 621 receiving yards and 3 receiving touchdowns. It’s not the first time Hilton has been injured this season either, as he suffered a bone bruise in Week 1 that hampered some of his explosiveness earlier in the year.

In his absence, look for backup wide receiver Griff Whalen to assume 3rd wideout duties, while the offense could look to more heavily feature its two tight ends Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener all together.

Hilton’s injury couldn’t come at a worse time for the Colts, who have lost their last 3 games to fall to 3-5 on the season and are set to play the undefeated 7-0 Denver Broncos. The Broncos have the NFL’s best defense and have a stingy secondary that features the likes of a shutdown cornerback duo in Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr.

Without Hilton as a deep threat, the Colts will have to rely more on emerging 2nd-year wideout Donte Moncrief and proven veteran Andre Johnson to carry the bulk of the receiving workload on shorter/intermediate routes, who will have to consistently win their tough matchups for offensive success.