INDIANAPOLIS –Exciting news of the addition of Trent Richardson gave way to the news Friday that safety LaRon Landry is out of Sunday's game against San Francisco because of an ankle injury.
The Colts' leading tackler with 26 stops in two games did not practice all week and will not play. Linebacker Pat Angerer is doubtful for action with a knee injury. Angerer returned last Sunday against Miami for his first action of the season.
Colts listed as questionable include Antoine Bethea, Cory Redding and Samson Satele. Bethea said Friday he will play, while Satele and Redding did not work on Friday. Satele had been a full practice participant Wednesday and Thursday. Also, T.Y. Hilton was limited in Friday's practice with a groin injury, the third straight day his participation was listed as such.
Indianapolis is seeking to avoid the first consecutive-loss performance of Chuck Pagano's tenure. The Colts are 5-0 under Pagano in games after losses, producing a 110-86 scoring margin in those five victories.
For the Colts, it will be like looking in a mirror. San Francisco has the same streak as Indianapolis does and ranks along with Green Bay and Atlanta as the only teams to avoid consecutive losses since 2011. The 49ers own a 160-43 scoring bulge in the 7-0 streak after losses under Jim Harbaugh.
Offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton said today it was shocking the Colts could acquire a talent like Richardson. He said Richardson was a "game-wrecker" as the Colts prepared to face him in preseason.
In 1987, the Colts landed Eric Dickerson in a trade on late Friday before a Sunday game at the New York Jets. Dickerson carried 10 times for 38 yards in that game while getting acclimated to the Colts' offense.
In 1989, Minnesota acquired Herschel Walker in a trade three days prior to a game with Green Bay, and Walker gained 144 yards on 18 rushes.
"I don't think they'll be different at all. They just may hand it off more than they have been," said 49ers coordinator Vic Fangio of the Colts with Richardson. "They got a great running back to give it to. It's even more reason for them to have balance in their offense.
"It just gives them an upgrade at running back, and we're going to see him. He's strong, fast, got a good stiff-arm. He's a move-the-pile kind of guy, but he also has got some shiftiness where he can bounce it outside or inside."
Hamilton said Richardson is a three-down type of back who can do the things that cannot be coached, and he is not far from being up to speed fully.
"I don't know we can just throw him out there. Considering what types of schemes we like to use, he's had some exposure to similar schemes," said Hamilton. "As much as he can handle, we'll decide what plays we give him a chance to execute.
"He's a great combination of power and speed. He has good field vision, can play without the ball, and he can catch the ball. There's no can't-do's with this guy."
The opposing quarterbacks, Andrew Luck (7.6) and Colin Kaepernick (6.8), reach Sunday's game as key reasons their respective teams own 5.0 and 3.5 seasonal rushing averages. The Colts' average falls to 4.4 without Luck's totals, while the Niners' mark shrinks to 2.1 without Kaepernick.
From 2011-12, San Francisco ranked fourth in the NFL in rushing, but is tied for 17th after two games. Frank Gore has 60 yards on 30 rushes this year after having consecutive 1,200-yard seasons.
San Francisco is expected to attempt re-establishing the ground presence, and Greg Manusky, who served there from 2007-10, knows the capabilities of the six-time 1,000-yard rusher.
"He's a competitor, a winner," said Manusky. "I love his attitude and everything about Frank. I know he hasn't had the production, but they're going to try to get him on key to go out and produce at a high level this week. Hopefully, we'll be able to stop him."
PRACTICE REPORT – Did not participate: LB-Pat Angerer (knee), S-LaRon Landry (ankle), DE-Cory Redding (back), C-Samson Satele (elbow); Limited participation: S-Antoine Bethea (toe), WR-T.Y. Hilton (groin); Full participation: LB-Kavell Conner (ankle), WR-Darrius Heyward-Bey (ribs), WR-David Reed (quadriceps), WR-Reggie Wayne (shoulder).
INJURY REPORT – Out: Landry; Doubtful: Angerer; Questionable: Bethea, Redding, Satele; Probable: Conner, Heyward-Bey, Hilton, Reed, Wayne.
NINERS NEWS – Linebacker Aldon Smith was arrested Friday around 7:00 a.m. (PDT) for suspicion of driving under the influence. Smith's 37.0 sacks since 2011 top the NFL.
