INDIANAPOLIS – "Move on."
Those were the words from Sam Pagano, the father of Chuck Pagano and a long-time football coach, said to his son following Sunday's loss in Denver.
At 0-2, the Colts will move on to the San Diego Chargers (1-1) coming to Lucas Oil Stadium for a 4:25 p.m. kick this Sunday
Before the Colts completely entrench themselves in Chargers' prep, they will await MRIs on wide receiver Donte Moncrief and offensive guard Denzelle Good.
**INJURY NEWS
**
- DE-Henry Anderson (knee): This will be Anderson's fifth straight week of practice. Anderson's reps will be ramped up this week and Pagano said the second-year defensive end could make his 2016 debut on Sunday. Anderson practiced FULL last Friday, for the first time this season.
- CB-Darius Butler (hamstring): It's a grade one hamstring injury for Butler and he's listed as "week-to-week." Ironically enough, this is Butler's second injury on an interception in 2016. Back in the preseason, Butler hurt his ankle on a pick.
- OLB-Trent Cole (back): Pagano said Cole is still sore and the team will continue to evaluate him on a daily basis. Cole did not practice, nor play in Sunday's game.
- CB-Antonio Cromartie (shoulder): Despite suffering the shoulder injury early in Sunday's first quarter, Cromartie still played 51 defensive snaps. Pagano said Cromartie is sore, but should be okay.
- CB-Vontae Davis (ankle): The medial sprain for Davis appears to be healing. Pagano said he's hoping to have Davis on the field this week for practice.
- S-Clayton Geathers (foot): Geathers showed what he can bring in his return to game action. Starting on Sunday, Geathers had five tackles in 34 snaps, before the foot injury flared up. Pagano said on Monday that Geathers should be okay, but is sore.
- OG-Denzelle Good (back): Two offensive starters will have MRIs on Monday night. Good left Sunday's game in the second half with a back injury and will now have an MRI to see the severity.
- S-T.J. Green (knee): Pagano hopes to have Green back to practice this week. Green suffered a sprained MCL back in Week One and missed all of last week.
- WR-Donte Moncrief (shoulder): Will have an MRI on Monday. Moncrief left Sunday's contest after nine snaps.
- CB-Patrick Robinson (concussion): Robinson has passed his impact test in the concussion protocol, so he will be able to practice on Wednesday, in a non-contact role.
Chuck Pagano on if there's concern with Donte Moncrief's shoulder injury:
"I'm waiting on an MRI and as soon as that comes back, I'll let you guys know."
Bowen's Analysis:* *This is the injury to watch heading into Week Three. Moncrief gives the Colts a different element at the receiver position---a big body guy who can make contested catches. Without Moncrief for three quarters Sunday, Andrew Luck and the receivers struggled to pick up yards versus one of the best defensive backfields in the NFL.
If Moncrief has to miss time, Jacoby Brissett will see an uptick in his playing time. After Hilton and Dorsett, it's Quan Bray and Chester Rogers rounding out the wideout group on the 53-man roster. Bray made his first career NFL catch against Denver. Rogers saw his first career NFL action on Sunday.
Chuck Pagano on if he thought the offensive line played well against Denver:
"I would agree.
"They played well. We had our moments (of struggles) obviously. (But) I thought those guys battled."
Bowen's Analysis:* *Both Andrew Luck and Chuck Pagano commended the offensive line for what the group did on Sunday. For 58 minutes in Denver, the line had given up two sacks in 36 pass attempts. It was at the end when things broke down for the line, as Denver sacked Andrew Luck three times in the final two minutes to close things out.
The offensive line gave Luck and the offense some chances on Sunday, but the combination of smothering coverage and a few errant throws didn't lead to much success. For the rest of 2016, the Colts will not see a defense like the one that resides in Denver. If Denzelle Good's MRI forces him to miss time, the Colts could turn to Jonotthan Harrison or rookie Joe Haeg at right guard. It was Harrison who filled in on Sunday, once Good exited.
Andrew Luck on the sense of urgency right now:
"We know it's a long season, but at the same time it is a sense of urgency."
Bowen's Analysis: For the third straight season, the Colts are in an 0-2 position. Just like he did on Sunday, Luck spoke Monday on how he needed to throw the ball better in Denver (Luck was 21-of-40 against the Broncos). Luck has been in this position before and has performed well. In Week Three of 2014, with the Colts having dropped their first two games, Luck was 31-of-39 for 370 yards and four touchdowns in a win over the Jaguars. Then last season in Week Three, Luck led the Colts on a two-score, fourth-quarter, comeback down in Tennessee.
By definition, Week Three isn't a "must win" for the Colts. But the reality is this, the Colts are 0-2 and the Texans are 2-0. Houston is also playing a New England-team on Thursday night this week and the Patriots could possibly be starting a third-string quarterback. The margin for error in Indianapolis is dwindling though. After San Diego this Sunday, the Colts will have three divisional games, over the next four weeks, all away from home. In 2014, the Colts won five straight after an 0-2 start. In 2015, they won three in a row after starting 0-2. We will see what they can dial up in 2016.
