Coach Chuck Pagano and general manager Ryan Grigson are in a real jam.
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-Outside linebacker Robert Mathis has yet to play in a preseason game and will not play in the Colts’ final two preseason matchups.
The Indianapolis Colts could be without eight starters for Saturday night’s preseason game (7 p.m. ET) with the Philadelphia Eagles due to injuries.
The first team offense and defense are expect to play upwards of three quarters Saturday, making this the last chance for fans to see Sam Bradford, Malcolm Jenkins and their respective units.
However Pederson and offensive coordinator Frank Reich, who has been around some special backs, didn’t like the guy they saw in warm-ups. Andy Reid and Chip Kelly lost their jobs after those seasons, as noted by the great Sam Lynch. He struggled quite a bit on Saturday against the Eagles, but head coach Chuck Pagano is confident he’ll get things fixed. That puts real limits on what the Colts offense can be. He readied to play the Colts defense.
Only an injury would impact the depth chart because Pederson is convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that Bradford really is better than Wentz, now idled by a cracked rib. The Colts were counting on the returning left side of Anthony Castonzo and Mewhort providing stability for the position group that’s undergone the most change and is facing the greatest pressure to protect Andrew Luck. “We came back and made it happen the second time”.
According to owner Jim Irsay, Colts LG Jack Mewhort’s knee injury will only sideline him 2-4 weeks. I know we can play better than that. “We have to keep people healthy and continue to make plays”.
Defensively, things may be even worse. That means Jonotthan Harrison, who is also the backup center, could end up starting at left guard.
While he is not expected to play this week in the team’s preseason finale at Cincinnati, Allen should be able to go against Detroit on September 11.
While Smallwood doesn’t feel the loss of snaps in live periods will make a difference, that’s basically what you’d expect from a rookie about to learn how much faster the pro game is.
That’s a potentially massive hurdle for an offense that needs to get off to fast starts and dictate the tempo to help protect a defense that could be missing as many as six projected starters when the regular season opens September 11 against Detroit.
Even if it’s just a small issue, it’s unlikely the Colts would ask Butler to suit up in the preseason finale against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday.
Starting right tackle Joe Reitz missed the Eagles game after experiencing tightness in his back during practice late last week. “Obviously, I’m disappointed in the way we played”, Pagano said.
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“I just go back to our days in Kansas City, when we had Jamaal Charles there and we kind limited him throughout camp and his touches through the regular season”, he said. Indy waived receiver Danny Anthrop, tackle Keith Lumpkin and running back Trey Williams and released tight end Konrad Reuland. Turbin led the way with 24 yards, 12 of which came before the holding flag on the would-be scoring jaunt. He was signed Sunday. He was fighting for a more expansive role as Indianapolis sorted out its defensive backfield in the preseason.
