Indianapolis Colts Set To Be Without Many Key Players For Week 5 Tilt

Let’s talk about Pierce. All week, the signs pointed toward his triumphant return. He was a full participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, running routes and looking like he was ready to get back to action. Fans were already penciling him into their fantasy lineups. But then, Friday happened. Pierce was a no-show at practice, and Steichen confirmed our worst fears: he’s still stuck in concussion protocol.

It is a frustrating setback for a guy who got his bell rung back in Week 3. You have to wonder what happened between Thursday’s full practice and Friday’s announcement. Did he report symptoms? Did he fail a test? Whatever the reason, it is a gut punch for the Colts’ offense, which will miss his deep-threat capabilities for another week. It’s a classic “one step forward, two steps back” situation that has become all too familiar for Colts fans this season.

More Men Down For the Colts

The bad news doesn’t stop with Pierce. Moore II is also taking another week off to nurse that nagging Achilles injury he picked up against the Titans. Moore’s absence leaves a significant hole in the secondary, and his veteran presence will be sorely missed. Joining him on the sidelines are Goodson and Scott, who both sat out of practice all week with groin and knee issues, respectively. At this rate, the Colts might need to start holding open tryouts in the parking lot just to field a full team.

There is a small glimmer of hope, though. Guard Matt Goncalves, who missed last week’s game with a toe injury, practiced all week and looks ready to reclaim his spot on the offensive line. It’s not much, but in a week filled with bleak news, we’ll take any win we can get. As the Colts prepare to face the Raiders, they’ll have to rely on the “next man up” mentality more than ever. Let’s just hope the next man up isn’t already on his way to the locker room with the trainers.