INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts will be without their top running back for a second straight week — and for a third time in four games to start the 2018 season.
Marlon Mack, who continues to battle a nagging hamstring injury, was officially listed as inactive for today's game against the Houston Texans.
Most of the others inactive today were less surprising, considering most of them were declared out by head coach Frank Reich on Friday: tackle Anthony Castonzo, tight end Jack Doyle, defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway and cornerback Quincy Wilson.
Defensive end Tarell Basham and defensive tackle Grover Stewart, each of whom were not listed on this week's injury report, are also inactive today.
Mack originally suffered his hamstring injury Aug. 9 in the team's preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks, and missed the remainder of the preseason, as well as the Colts' regular season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The second-year South Florida product was able to make his 2018 debut against the Washington Redskins, earning the start in the Colts' 21-9 victory at FedExField. He had 10 carries for 34 yards in the game, but didn't play in the fourth quarter, and then had missed the next week of practice, again with a hamstring injury.
After missing last week's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Mack was able to return to practice, albeit in a limited capacity, on Wednesday. Reich said on Friday Mack was "making good progress," but the team was going to decide on his status for today's game prior to kickoff.
Rookie Jordan Wilkins is expected to get the start in Mack's place for a third time this season. Through three games, Wilkins has 30 carries for 120 yards (4.0 avg.). Also, running back Jeremy McNichols could make his Indianapolis debut today. Signed to the Colts' practice squad on Sept. 3, the 2017 fifth-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccnaeers was elevated to the active roster on Friday.
McNichols played in two games with the San Francisco 49ers last season, and registered one special teams tackle.
