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Ben Arthur
AFC South Reporter
Adversity has taken various forms for the Colts.
What’s been so impressive is their success despite it.
Rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson was lost for the season in Week 5 after sustaining a shoulder injury. Star running back Jonathan Taylor has been in and out of the lineup — first sidelined on the PUP list with his surgically-repaired ankle (first four games of the season), and currently with a thumb injury (three straight games and counting). Right tackle Braden Smith has missed six games and counting. Defensive tackle Grover Stewart, one of the league’s best run-stuffers, just finished serving a six-game suspension. Then there are the season-long cornerback issues Indianapolis has had, too.
Despite personnel issues, the Colts have been right in the thick of a tight AFC playoff race with first-year coach Shane Steichen.
On Sunday, the football gods threw more adversity in their face.
They responded the way they have all season.
The Colts’ resiliency was once again on full display in their 30-13 victory Saturday over the Steelers (7-7) at Lucas Oil Stadium. It kept Indianapolis (8-6) in position for the seventh and final AFC playoff spot with three weeks left in the regular season.
The Colts trailed 13-0 early in the second quarter, punctuated by Rigoberto Sanchez having a punt blocked and recovered by the Steelers inside the 1-yard line. It continued struggles from the previous week, when Indianapolis fell 34-14 in Cincinnati, its worst loss of the season.
And already without Taylor (thumb) and Smith (knee), the Colts lost leading wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and leading rusher Zack Moss — Taylor’s top backup — to injuries by the midway point of the second quarter. Pittman exited with a concussion after an illegal hit by Damontae Kazee, who was ejected. Moss got hurt on a horse-collar tackle en route to the end zone.
The mounting challenges…
Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/colts-maintain-control-of-playoff-destiny-dominate-steelers-after-slow-start
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Publish date : 2023-12-17 01:18:22
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