INDIANAPOLIS —The Indianapolis Colts face the possibility of being without their top cornerback to open the regular season for a second straight year.
Head coach Chuck Pagano on Tuesday confirmed No. 1 corner Vontae Davis — who missed the first two weeks of the regular season in 2016 due to an ankle injury — suffered a "pretty significant" groin injury in Saturday's 19-15 preseason victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
While Pagano said the injury will not require surgery, Davis, the two-time Pro Bowler, will be "week-to-week," according to his head coach. Davis had sought another opinion on the injury on Monday.
Davis tweeted out Monday afternoon: "I Will Be Back Better Than Ever:"
Pagano said the staff is still figuring out who will replace Davis at right cornerback until he's able to return. Fifth-year cornerback Rashaan Melvin was the team's other starter at left cornerback in Saturday's game, and played in 15 games for Indianapolis last season, starting nine, and finished with 58 tackles (one for a loss), seven passes defensed and two forced fumbles.
Other emerging options at cornerback, Pagano said, include Quincy Wilson and Nate Hairston — the team's second- and fifth-round picks this year — as well as veterans Chris Culliver and Corey White, whom the team signed last week.
Also at corner for the Colts heading into Thursday's preseason finale at home against the Cincinnati Bengals are Chris Milton, Dante Blackmon and Tyvis Powell, as well as converted safety T.J. Green.
"You don't ever want to do it, be in this situation, but that's why we've got a 90-man roster right now," Pagano said. "We've got a bunch of guys there ... so it's an opportunity for those guys, and they've got to step up."
The Colts open up the 2017 season on Sept. 10 — in 12 days — on the road against the Los Angeles Rams.
