INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich today said defensive end Jabaal Sheard and running back Jonathan Williams have been ruled out of Sunday's Week 2 AFC South Division showdown against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville.
Defensive end Kemoko Turay, meantime, is listed as doubtful and is a gametime decision, according to Reich.
» Sheard has not been able to take part in on-field work since the Colts' first training camp practice on July 25 after experiencing some "soreness and swelling" in his knee, according to Reich. Sheard eventually underwent a minor procedure, and he has been working his way back since. The Colts decided against placing Sheard on injured reserve to open the regular season, which would've resulted in him missing at least the first eight weeks, and he also missed last week's season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. Though Sheard missed practice this week — he did work off to the side with trainers on Friday — Reich said Wednesday the defensive end is "making very good progress."
» Williams on Thursday was able to participate in his first practice in about three weeks after suffering a rib injury in the Colts' second preseason game against the Cleveland Browns. Williams had been putting in a solid training camp and preseason to that point; in two games, the fourth-year Arkansas product had carried the ball 11 times for 39 yards, had five receptions for 33 yards and showed up well in pass protection. The Colts last week had three active running backs — Marlon Mack, Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins — against the Chargers.
» Turay missed last Friday's practice with a neck injury, and was labeled as questionable heading into the Week 1 matchup against the Chargers. He was able to play, however, and put in a standout performance for the Colts' defense, logging two tackles, a sack and a forced fumble, while another would-be sack/forced fumble was wiped off the board due to an offsides penalty on Indy. But Turay sat out the all three days of practice this week, also with a neck injury.
Injury report
Here is Friday's practice report, with their designation for Sunday's game (if applicable):
» DNP: DT/DE Denico Autry (not injury related; rest); T Anthony Castonzo (not injury related; rest); WR T.Y. Hilton (not injury related; rest); DE Justin Houston (not injury related; rest); DE Jabaal Sheard (knee; out); DE Kemoko Turay (neck, doubtful)
» Limited: RB Jonathan Williams (rib; out)
» Full: WR Deon Cain (heat related); LB Zaire Franklin (hip); S Clayton Geathers (not injury related; rest); CB Ryan Lewis (heat related)
