Great News Coming for Playoff Push
The Indianapolis Colts got good news on the injury report about a pair of critical offensive starters ahead of their showdown with the Las Vegas Raiders, Jake Arthur reports for the Horseshoe Huddle Fan Nation.
he Indianapolis Colts hit the practice field on Wednesday for a walk-through as they prepare to put last weekend’s disappointing loss in the rearview mirror and shift focus to this Sunday’s matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium with the Las Vegas Raiders.
The importance of the Colts’ remaining two regular-season games is massive and the good news is that a pair of critical offensive starters in wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and right tackle Braden Smith were listed as participants.
Both teams held walk-throughs on Wednesday rather than full practices, leading to the injury report being an estimation of a player’s participation if there was a practice.
Here are the reports for the Colts and Raiders for Week 17.
COLTS
WEDNESDAY
- Did Not Participate – LB Cameron McGrone (illness), WR D.J. Montgomery (groin)
- Limited Participant – RB Zack Moss (forearm), LB Segun Olubi (hip), WR Michael Pittman Jr. (shoulder/concussion)
- Full Participant – C Jack Anderson (illness), OT Braden Smith (knee), CB Ameer Speed (knee)
While it’s premature to say either Pittman or Smith will play on Sunday, both being listed as participants to start the week is a great sign. Pittman progressed through the concussion protocol last week, even being cleared before suffering a setback and landing back in the protocol. Smith has been out for most of the last four games and hasn’t practiced since.
In Pittman’s absence last week against the Atlanta Falcons, outside receivers Alec Pierce and Montgomery combined to catch 4-of-10 targets for 38 yards. Pittman alone averages 7 receptions (10 targets) for 76 yards per game this season.
Smith’s replacement, rookie Blake Freeland, ranks 22nd out of 24 qualifying rookie offensive linemen in pass-block efficiency (93.8%) this season according to Pro Football Focus after allowing at least 4 quarterback hurries in 7 games.
RAIDERS
WEDNESDAY
- Did Not Participate – RB Josh Jacobs (quadriceps), TE Michael Mayer (toe)
- Limited Participant – DE Maxx Crosby (knee), OT Jermaine Eluemunor (knee), C Andre James (ankle), DE Malcolm Koonce (ribs), OT Kolton Miller (shoulder), WR D.J. Turner (shoulder)
- Full Participant – LS Jacob Bobenmoyer (knee)
Jacobs and Mayer are a couple of key players to watch as starters on an already-struggling Raiders offense.
The Raiders also placed tight end Jesper Horsted on Injured Reserve this week with a hamstring injury.
