Colts Injury Report: T.Y. Hilton Returns to Practice, But Defensive Backs Still Decimated

While T.Y. Hilton appears ready to ‘take off’ again on Sunday, the Indianapolis Colts defensive backs remain decimated with injuries. Certainly not helping matters is veteran pass rusher Trent Cole being downgraded to doubtful.

The Indianapolis Colts have already declared several players out for Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos including: DE Henry Anderson (knee), CB Vontae Davis (foot), S T.J. Green (knee), and CB Patrick Robinson (concussion).

Meanwhile, CB Darius Butler (ankle), CB Antonio Cromartie (hamstring), S Clayton Geathers (foot), DL Zach Kerr (foot), DE Kendall Langford (knee), and OLB Robert Mathis (foot) are all officially listed as ‘questionable’ per the team’s injury report, while OLB Trent Cole (back) has now been downgraded to ‘doubtful’.

Aug 7, 2016; Canton, OH, USA; Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Trent Cole (58) and outside linebacker Robert Mathis (98) talk on the field at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The game was cancelled due to safety concerns with the condition of the playing surface. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Obviously, Cole’s absence would be a significant loss for a team that registered just one sack last weekend against the Lions and is looking to solve their pass rushing woes. On the other hand, head coach Chuck Pagano said that Mathis is “good”–as it looks likely he’ll play on Sunday.

The other good news is that star wide receiver T.Y. Hilton returned to the practice field on Friday–having missed Thursday’s practice, and Pagano said it was “just us being careful” regarding a minor knee injury presumably suffered earlier this week in practice.

Otherwise, the Colts’ secondary could receive a boost, having both nickelback Darius Butler and projected starting safety Clayton Geathers back in action on Sunday. Butler was a full participant in practice on Friday–which is great news, while Geathers was able to practice in limited action.

Therefore, it looks as though Butler will be a “go”, while the team is encouraged on Geathers’ availability, although his in-game conditioning should me a major issue–having not been able to participate in training camp and in any of the team’s preseason games.

If he’s healthy enough to actually play, Pagano said that the team will be smart with their young safety by presumably playing him situationally and on a limited snap count:

"“He feels good,” said Pagano on Geathers. “He understands and knows the gameplan. There will be some rust to knock off, and we’ll be smart how we use him–and I can’t go out there and expect him to play 65-70 plays. That would be foolish on our part, so he’ll play, he’ll play good football, and we’ll use him the right way.”"

Sep 11, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Detroit Lions tight end Eric Ebron (85) scores a touchdown between Indianapolis Colts free safety Winston Guy (27) and strong safety Mike Adams (29) in the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

In other positive news, Pagano also said veteran cornerback Antonio Cromartie is “fine”, as like Butler, he was a full participant in practice on Friday.

Still, expect to see defensive backs such as Winston Guy and to a lesser extent Matthias Farley play key roles at safety, while backup cornerbacks lower on the depth chart like Rashaan Melvin and Darryl Morris should once again see extended snaps at cornerback.

It’s worth noting that Pagano also said that the team still has time this weekend and hasn’t ruled out potentially promoting a young cornerback from the practice squad such as Tay Glover-Wright or Frankie Williams for additional depth at the position.

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