Colts Lose Ahmad Bradshaw for Season

Sep 8, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Ahmad Bradshaw (44) celebrates at the end of the game against the Oakland Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts defeated the Raiders 21-17. Photo By: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Running back Ahmad Bradshaw will miss the rest of the season for the Colts due to a neck injury he sustained in Week 3 against the San Francisco 49ers. Bradshaw had missed the last two games while seeking advice on the best course of action for his injury. The Colts had hoped Bradshaw’s neck would heal on its own with some rest, but a second opinion confirmed that surgery would be necessary. He has been placed on Injured Reserve.

This is the second running back this season the Colts have lost to a season-ending injury;  Vick Ballard was also placed on IR after Week 1 when he tore his ACL in practice on a non-contact drill. The Colts now have Trent Richardson and Donald Brown as the only running backs on the active roster, but two spots are available after the team waived fullback Robert Hughes this afternoon.

Bradshaw was having a very good season prior to his injury, most notably rushing for 95 yards and a touchdown against San Francisco, out-rushing Trent Richardson. His future with the Colts is now in doubt, for he signed just a one-year deal with the team in June. Unfortunately, this is not Bradshaw’s first neck injury. He also missed time, though brief, for the New York Giants after he injured a disk in his neck in Week 2 of last season.

Bradshaw’s totals for 2013: 186 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on 41 carries (averaged 4.5 yards a carry) in addition to 7 receptions for 42 yards (averaged 6 yards a catch) in 3 games for Indianapolis.