INDIANAPOLIS – Just when the Colts running back group was filled with proven contributors, the unit suffered a major blow Sunday.
Ahmad Bradshaw's fourth-quarter wrist injury has sent the veteran running back to injured reserve for a third straight season.
On Monday, the Colts announced Bradshaw going on IR. In his spot, Zurlon Tipton re-joins the active roster.
"He's going to be missed," Chuck Pagano said of Bradshaw on Monday.
"He brings a lot to this football team in a lot of different areas with just the way he approaches, his preparation, the way he plays the game, his physicality, his toughness, his mindset. It's a big loss."
Bradshaw played in six games this season for the Colts, once again establishing himself as a major red-zone weapon.
He caught three touchdown passes in six games, while also serving as the team's backup to Frank Gore, primarily as the team's third-down back.
Boom Herron could now seize that role.
The Colts claimed Herron off waivers on Thanksgiving and he played in the final three offensive snaps of Sunday's game (all kneel downs). Herron also played 10 special teams snaps in his 2015 debut with Indy.
Herron was a key contributor for the Colts last year (especially out of the backfield) when Ahmad Bradshaw went on IR in mid-November.
During last year's postseason, Herron caught 20 passes (the fourth-most catches by a Colt in a single postseason).
"Boom will fill in now as the No. 2 guy and obviously bringing (Zurlon) Tipton back he'll be the third-team and special teamer," Pagano said on Monday.
The Colts are now counting again on Herron, with Gore still the clear lead back.
The duo of Gore and Herron was thought to be the 1-2 punch coming out of Training Camp.
It now will be the tandem as the Colts (6-5) head into December.
