Injuries are an inevitable part of any sport, and in a contact-heavy game like football, they are especially prevalent. Although injuries are expected, they are still frustrating when they occur before the regular season has even begun. The Indianapolis Colts are facing this challenge as they prepare to start their season this Sunday against the Houston Texans, with several key players uncertain for the game.
Tight end Jelani Woods is out for the season following toe surgery. While Woods may not have been a central figure on the roster, his absence is still a setback, marking his second consecutive year missing the entire season. The team must move forward without him. Additionally, wide receiver Josh Downs has been sidelined due to a practice injury. Although he is reportedly making progress, his availability for Sunday remains uncertain.
Josh Downs ‘progressing well’ while rehabbing high ankle sprain. No indication if he’ll practice Wed. https://t.co/mq1UVWjYra
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) September 2, 2024
Kicker Matt Gay has struggled during the preseason, partly due to changes in his holding situation. Now, the concern is his groin injury, which could affect his availability. While Gay hasn’t been officially ruled out, groin injuries are particularly problematic for kickers and aren’t an ideal way to start the new season.
The Houston Texans are already favored to win the game and the division, adding pressure on the Colts. Missing three key players and having a quarterback returning from an injury-plagued season makes for a challenging start. While a Week 1 game isn’t a must-win, losing at home to a division rival would put the Colts at a disadvantage.
The positive news is that, aside from Woods, no one has been officially ruled out yet. There remains a possibility that Josh Downs and Matt Gay could be ready for the season opener. The Colts will likely be cautious with both players, prioritizing their long-term health over rushing them back for this game. Hopefully, they will be fit and ready to face the Texans.