INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts on Sunday received good news about the injury status of one key defensive player, but three other players could be out at least a couple weeks, if not longer.
Here are the updates on the four players who suffered injuries in Saturday's preseason victory over the San Francisco 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium:
» Defensive end John Simon: Simon suffered a neck injury and did not return. There was an immediate concern considering Simon, perhaps the Colts' top all-around defensive player a year ago, was limited to just nine games in 2017, also due to a neck injury. But in a conference call with reporters on Sunday, head coach Frank Reich said that while the team will remain cautious with Simon, he's just considered "day-to-day" at this point.
» Tackle/guard Denzelle Good: Good, who suffered a hamstring injury a week into training camp, was just able to make his 2018 debut on Saturday when he suffered a knee injury against the 49ers and did not return. Reich said Sunday Good's knee injury could keep him out a few weeks, however, and that he definitely will not play Thursday night in the team's 2018 preseason finale against the Cincinnati Bengals. His injury is relevant to the team's starting right tackle position, which remains wide open heading into the final week of the preseason.
» Safeties T.J. Green and Ronald Martin: Green (hamstring) and Martin (shoulder) also did not return after suffering their injuries against the 49ers, and, like Good, are considered "week-to-week." Green and Martin are key pieces of depth at the safety position, which creates valuable opportunities for undrafted rookies George Odum and Chris Cooper.
With the team's cutdown from its 90-man offseason/preseason roster to its 53-man Week 1 roster happening this Saturday, Reich was asked if these more "week-to-week" injuries — others already on that list include starting left tackle Anthony Casontozo (hamstring), top running back Marlon Mack (hamstring), starting MIKE linebacker Anthony Walker (groin) and others — makes things complicated for the coaching and personnel staffs.
"You could say it complicates things," Reich said. "But it's not more complicated, I think, than it is for anybody else."
Other notes:
— As for that aforementioned battle at right tackle, Reich says the team is going to take the whole week left before cuts to determine the starter at the position. Guys like Braden Smith, Austin Howard, J'Marcus Webb, Joe Haeg, Tyreek Burwell, Le'Raven Clark and Good, when he's able to return, could all be considered candidates.
— The Colts on Sunday traded linebacker Antonio Morrison to the Green Bay Packers for second-year cornerback Lenzy Pipkins. Reich said Pipkins has "good awareness, good technique," and praised Morrison for his efforts while in Indy. "I loved Antonio, I loved the toughness he brought, but just thought it was the best move for the team."
— Reich said wide receivers Zach Pascal and Seantavius Jones continue to show their worth as the preseason comes to an end. Pascal, Reich said, was outstanding on special teams, particularly, against the 49ers, both as a returner and in coverage. "It's a great example of how when you're not the starter at a position if you can make a big impact on special teams, that's a big factor, so Zach did well for himself last night." Jones, meanwhile, remains "very much in the mix" himself. "I really like his physical style of play," Reich said.
