INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts late Friday afternoon announced center Ryan Kelly will miss Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills.
Kelly suffered a concussion in the first half of the Colts' Week 12 game against the Tennessee Titans and did not return. Kelly, who did not practice the following week, did not play last Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Kelly had been progressing through the league's concussion protocol this week, however. He was a limited participant on Wednesday, when he wore a red, non-contact jersey, but was a full participant on Thursday and Friday.
Pagano said after Friday's practice Kelly was set to be evaluated by an independent league neurologist to clear the final hurdle to be able to play against the Bills, and he didn't "anticipate anything getting sideways there."
Kelly's absence on Sunday sets up Mike Person to get his second straight start at center for the Colts, although the veteran has been battling an ankle injury of his own this week and did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday, and was limited on Friday. Person is officially labeled as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bills.
First-year Harvard product Anthony Fabiano, who played in four games with one start last season with the Cleveland Browns, appeared in his first game with the Colts last week as he temporarily filled in at center for Person, who eventually was able to return to the field.
Kelly is now one of four players to already be ruled out of Sunday's game in Buffalo, and joins wide receiver Donte Moncrief (ankle), tight end Darrell Daniels (hamstring) and cornerback Rashaan Melvin (hand).
The Bills, meanwhile, have ruled out just one player, guard John Miller, for Sunday's game. Five players, including quarterback Tyrod Taylor (knee), are labeled as questionable.
