According to head coach Chuck Pagano, the Indianapolis Colts will already be without five players–including key defenders Darius Butler and Sio Moore, when the team plays the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday for the team’s 2nd played preseason game:
"Jun 7, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts linebacker Sio Moore (51) gets taped during mini camp at the Indiana Farm Bureau Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports“These guys won’t play in the game, OG Hugh Thornton, CB Jalil Brown, CB Darius Butler, WR Marcus Leak, and ILB Sio Moore,” said Pagano on Thursday."
Regarding Butler, it doesn’t appear to be overly serious, but the team is just being overly cautious with their nickel cornerback given that it’s still only preseason:
"“He’s had a sore hamstring, so we’ve kind of just been taking care of him. Again, just want to err on the side of caution with him,” added Pagano on Butler."
The team also held out veteran pass rusher Robert Mathis today and from some earlier practices this week–who wasn’t in uniform for last weekend’s preseason game. However, Pagano indicated that the veteran was just being rested and that he’s expected to make his preseason debut on Saturday:
"Jul 28, 2016; Anderson, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts linebacker Robert Mathis (98) walks onto the practice field during the Indianapolis Colts NFL training camp at Anderson University. Mandatory Credit: Mykal McEldowney/Indy Star via USA TODAY NETWORK“Just sore, so just held him out. Rest day for him,” said Pagano on Mathis. “Yeah, (he’ll play) unless he comes in, and barring anything crazy. We’ll want to get him out there.”"
Otherwise, the Colts did receive some positive injury updates on two of its key young defenders Henry Anderson and Clayton Geathers respectively, as they recover from injuries. Both could be back on the field a little sooner than initially expected.
It’s currently anticipated that Andrew Luck and the other Colts offensive starters will play a quarter to a quarter and a half on Saturday:
"“I’d like to get at least a quarter,” said Pagano on the starting offense’s playing time come Saturday’s preseason game. “Maybe a quarter and a half with those guys, and then you always play it by ear. See how things are going.”"
It will come with much excitement for Colts fans, as Luck was held out of last weekend’s preseason game because of injury precautions and has yet to make his preseason debut.
As such, it will be the first time that Colts fans have seen Luck in some resemblance of gametime action in quite a while, having missed the final 7 games of last year’s regular season due to a season-ending lacerated kidney.
