Per Pagano: Cherilus Will Play; A. Jones Won’t

According to the Indianapolis Star’s Stephen Holder, Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano announced today that starting right tackle Gosder Cherilus will play on Sunday night despite missing the last few days of practice (groin). UPDATE: He’s officially listed as “questionable” per the team’s official injury report, but was a full participant in Friday’s practice.

Even though he’s struggled a bit in recent games, perhaps because of the injury, the Colts lack considerable tackle depth behind Cherilus. Behind him is only OG/OT Joe Reitz and 2nd-year pro Xavier Nixon, so him playing is a key development for maintained stability along the Colts’ offensive line.

Sep 15, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Arthur Jones (97) is carted off the field after being injured in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

However, Colts’ fans received some bad news as Pagano also announced that DE/DT Arthur Jones won’t get to play against the Patriots, as he’s still nursing a severely sprained ankle that has pretty much kept him on the sidelines since Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles. While Ricky Jean-Francois has played really well in his absence, Jones would’ve still been a solid defensive lineman to rotate in.

It also looks like outside linebacker, Erik Walden (probable), will be a go, as he was a full participant in practice on Friday and previously said this week, “He ain’t missing this one.” He recently missed Week 9’s game against the New York Giants because of a hip injury, but signs point that he’ll be back in the starting lineup.