KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Indianapolis Colts' defense will need all the firepower it can get in today's Divisional Round matchup against the top offensive attack in the National Football League.
And while the Colts are assured one key defensive player whose status was up in the air going into the weekend, another defensive standout was not able to be ready by kickoff.
Defensive tackle/end Denico Autry is active, but safety Malik Hooker is on the team's inactives list.
Others inactive for the Colts: center Josh Andrews, tackle/guard Le'Raven Clark, wide receiver Ryan Grant, defensive tackle/end Tyquan Lewis, linebacker Ahmad Thomas and running back Jonathan Williams.
» Hooker suffered a foot injury in last Saturday's playoff win over the Texans, but was able to return to the game after missing just one defensive series. The second-year Ohio State product did not practice this week, however, but wrote on his own blog on Thursday that "with treatment all week, I'm going to be just fine" for the Chiefs game. The Colts will depend on the remaining players in their secondary to help limit the big-play abilities of Chiefs quarterback and MVP candidate Patrick Mahomes, who threw for 50 touchdowns during the regular season. Rookie George Odum gets the start in Hooker's place.
» Autry first appeared on the team's injury report two weeks ago with a shoulder injury, but he was able to play last Saturday against the Texans, finishing with four tackles, including two for a loss, as well as a pass defensed. Autry did not practice the first two days this week leading up to the Chiefs game, but was a limited participant on Thursday. Autry led the Colts with 9.0 sacks this season, and also added 13 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one pass defensed during regular season play.
Lineup change
With Lewis missing his second straight game with a knee injury, the Colts are expected to start Al-Quadin Muhammad at defensive end today against Kansas City,
Muhammad got the start in Lewis' place in last Saturday's Wild Card Round victory over the Houston Texans, and had a strong performance, finishing with two tackles (one for a loss) and his first sack of the year.
Odum, meanwhile, gets the start at safety in place of Hooker.
