Injury Bug Keeps Biting the Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts may already be the walking wounded.

After a 2013 season that saw nearly 20 players placed on season-ending injured reserve, the Colts are already facing hardships in the NFL Preseason. Indianapolis lost RB – Vick Ballard in practice, for the second-straight season. The Colts also saw OL – Donald Thomas drop in practice, and he is not expected to return this season.

The Colts also have several issues with players returning from 2013 injuries. WR – Reggie Wayne and TE – Dwayne Allen will both be returning from season-ending injuries. The loss of Ballard and Thomas makes these returns a bit more concerning, due to the fact that these players could also go down again. There’s no way to tell how a player will bounce back, until they take a hit on the field, but it only takes one hit to send that player back to the sideline.

Another tough injury occurred during the Colts’ preseason loss to the New York Jets, when starting center Khaled Holmes went down with an apparent ankle injury. The offensive line for Indianapolis is already a big concern, and can barely afford a big injury. The Colts have swapped offensive linemen for the past three seasons, and really need some continuity.

Injuries occur every week, all season long. Still when a team loses a starting running back or starting offensive linemen, it literally hurts. There’s only so much damage a team can take, before they break. The Colts still have bodies to step up, but they are taking a lot of hits, very early in the season.