INDIANAPOLIS — These next 24 hours are going to be crucial for T.Y. Hilton.
The Indianapolis Colts' top wide receiver is officially labeled as questionable heading into Sunday's critical Week 15 matchup against the NFC East Division-leading Dallas Cowboys (8-5) at Lucas Oil Stadium.
But because Hilton didn't practice all week with an ankle injury, his status for the game is perhaps a little bit more in the air than it has been during other weeks when he would miss a day or two of practice but still be good to go by gametime.
"This still is touch-and-go," head coach Frank Reich told reporters on Friday. "We have to see how he responds in the next 24 hours and just hope for the best."
What we do know — three players have already officially been ruled out of Sunday's game: guard Mark Glowinski, safety Mike Mitchell and linebacker Skai Moore. Safety Clayton Geathers (knee) is also questionable.
» Glowinski suffered an ankle injury in last Sunday's victory over the Houston Texans. Although he attempted to return to the game, Glowinski found himself sidelined for good shortly thereafter. A huge piece to the puzzle for the Colts' success along their offensive line since entering the starting lineup at right guard Week 6, Glowinski has earned a solid 71.8 season grade from Pro Football Focus. Look for either Joe Haeg, Evan Boehm or Josh Andrews to fill in at right guard on Sunday.
» Mitchell will be missing his second straight game with a calf injury, which he suffered Week 13 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. A key midseason veteran acquisition — he was signed as a free agent on Oct. 9 — Mitchell has played in six games with three starts so far this season, and has logged 24 total tackles, one interception, one pass defensed and two forced fumbles. He was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week back in Week 7 for his standout performance in Indy's win over the Buffalo Bills in which he logged seven tackles, a forced fumble that was recovered by linebacker Darius Leonard and then an interception.
» Moore first appeared on the injury report Thursday with a neck injury. Moore, who signed with the Colts as an undrafted free agent out of South Carolina, has appeared in nine games with one start in his rookie season, and has totaled four solo tackles.
Open spot
The Colts (7-6) also will need to fill an open roster spot before Sunday's kickoff.
The team earlier this week waived tight end Erik Swoope, and as of Friday afternoon was yet to find a replacement for that 53rd and final roster spot.
Reich said Friday the team has "a couple options in mind" for that spot, and that he'll sit down with general manager Chris Ballard within the next 24 hours to determine what the team will do.
Injury report
Here is Friday's practice report, with their designation for Sunday's game (if applicable):
» DNP: T Anthony Castonzo (knee); S Clayton Geathers (knee; questionable); G Mark Glowinski (ankle; out); WR T.Y. Hilton (ankle; questionable); LB Darius Leonard (finger/shoulder); S Mike Mitchell (calf; out); LB Skai Moore (neck; out); G/C Quenton Nelson (back)
» Limited: S Malik Hooker (hip); DE Jabaal Sheard (knee)
» Full: TE Mo Alie-Cox (calf); TE Ryan Hewitt (ribs); DT Margus Hunt (knee); WR Dontrelle Inman (shoulder); C Ryan Kelly (knee)
