INDIANAPOLIS — Jack Doyle isn't going to play football for the Indianapolis Colts again this season, but he's got his health — and that's what's important.
The Indianapolis Colts tight end, who was hospitalized after Sunday's Week 12 victory over the Miami Dolphins after suffering a serious kidney injury, has since been released from the hospital, head coach Frank Reich told reporters on Wednesday, and that his long-term prognosis is positive.
"He did get released, and is doing well," Reich said of Doyle. "(I've) been in contact with him, and I'm encouraged by the results of the procedure and wishing him the best."
Doyle suffered the injury late in the third quarter of Sunday's 27-24 victory over the Dolphins. Reich said Doyle, running a stick route at the time, "took a pretty big hit," and after being evaluated by trainers tried to return to the field for two or three more plays, but couldn't finish out the rest of the game from there.
One of just two active tight ends available for the Colts on the day — joining Eric Ebron — Doyle played 38 snaps on offense and six snaps on special teams in all, catching all four passes thrown his way for 16 yards, including a one-yard touchdown reception late in the second quarter that gave Indy a 14-7 lead.
Doyle was taken to the hospital after the game, where he underwent a procedure, according to Reich. He has since been placed on injured reserve, ending his season.
After earning his first Pro Bowl selection last season, Doyle, who missed five games earlier in the year with a hip injury, finishes his sixth NFL season in 2018 having caught 26 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns in six games played, all starts.
Reich at first said Wednesday he was wishing Doyle a "quick, speedy recovery," but then corrected himself. While the tight end's prognosis is good — "all signs point would point to he'd be fine for next year," Reich said Monday night in his weekly appearance on "Colts Roundtable Live" on 1070 The Fan — his focus now is more in the short-term as far as rest and recovery.
"It's not the kind of thing that is a speedy recovery, hence IR," Reich said. "But he's doing very well."
And, whenever Doyle is ready, Reich said he hopes he'll see him around the building often to continue his role as a leader in the tight ends room.
"Jack is the consummate pro. A big-time leader on this team," Reich said earlier this week. "I'm already thinking even with this injury, I just want him around. I mean, he's a guy you just want him around. Just please be around our team. Because it makes us better."
