INDIANAPOLIS – The names look like a list you would compile when asked to think of the Colts most indispensable players.
Luck. Hilton. Davis. Geathers. Kelly. Mathis.
Those were the names left sidelined as Week 12 came to a close for the Colts on Thursday night inside of Lucas Oil Stadium.
The 10-day break that the Colts are in the midst of couldn't have come at a much better time.
Injuries to some of the team's most important players, on each side of the ball, will dominate the headlines with the Colts heading to New York to take on the Jets next Monday.
Here's a closer look at the injuries the Colts will be monitoring before they begin their most critical stretch of 2016:
- QB-Andrew Luck (concussion): It was a good sign seeing the quarterback on the sideline, fully engaged into Thursday's game. When the cameras panned to Luck on the sideline, he was busy taking down notes and meeting with Scott Tolzien when the defense was on the field. NBC's broadcast said Luck was feeling better as the quarterback tries to pass the concussion protocol with an extra day to work with this coming week.
- S-Clayton Geathers (concussion):Unlike Luck, the media did see Clayton Geathers very briefly at Tuesday's practice going into Pittsburgh. The extra day of work coming this week is also welcomed for Geathers. Chuck Pagano will next meet the media on Monday, so updates should come then on where these two are within the concussion protocol.
- WR-T.Y. Hilton (back): Hilton tried to play through the back injury on Thursday. But he left for good after two snaps in the third quarter. A second-quarter hit near the goal line caused the lower back injury, which Hilton attributed more to how his body banged the turf, and not the hit itself. Hilton stayed in his pads for the rest of the game, but had his lower back wrapped up. Hilton had 3 catches for 54 yards on Thursday, with one drop that could have easily gone for a touchdown.
- CB-Vontae Davis (groin):Davis was questionable coming into Thursday with an ankle injury. It was a groin ailment that sent him to the locker room after 22 snaps against Pittsburgh. Davis has battled lower body injuries all season long, something you never want to see with a cornerback. Davis' health is always vital for this defense, especially with Brandon Marshall and DeAndre Hopkins on the upcoming schedule.
- C-Ryan Kelly (shoulder): After not missing a snap through the first 10 games of his rookie season, Kelly's night ended after three plays on Thursday. Kelly did stay on the sidelines, in his full pads, but no sign of a helmet told the story on if he would return to the game. Without Kelly, the Colts had their backup quarterback and center working together.
- OLB-Robert Mathis (elbow):Mathis' name was added to this list in the fourth quarter. The severity of the injury is not known. The Colts were once again unable to sack Ben Roethlisberger for the third straight meeting. With the struggles the Colts have had in getting after the passer this season, all healthy bodies are needed for December.
- OG-Denzelle Good (shoulder): Good tried to play through this injury. He left the game in the first quarter, but went back in. The big right guard was officially ruled OUT in the fourth quarter, after playing a total of 46 snaps. Without Kelly and Good, the Colts had no healthy offensive linemen on the bench. They played with a unit of LT-Anthony Castonzo, LG-Jack Mewhort, C-Jon Harrison, RG-Joe Haeg and RT-Joe Reitz. Rookies Austin Blythe and Le'Raven Clark were inactive on Thursday.
