Ahead of their Week 13 matchup with the New England Patriots, the Indianapolis Colts announced that seven players will be inactive for this game, including a few key contributors.
WR Josh Downs
WR Ashton Dulin
OT Braden Smith
QB Sam Ehlinger
C Tanor Bortolini
DE Isaiah Land
S Darren Hall
On gamedays, teams are permitted to have only 48 players active. So with the Colts elevating two practice squad players to the 53-man roster for this game, that means seven players have to be inactive.
Downs, Dulin, Smith and Bortolini were all ruled out on Friday. Downs is dealing with a shoulder injury, Dulin an ankle injury and Bortolini is in concussion protocol. Smith is out with a personal matter.
In the first two games of the season when Downs was out with ankle injury at that time, the Colts utilized a by-committee approach when it came to the slot position. I would anticipate a similar gameplan this week, although I wouldn’t be surprised if AD Mitchell ends up with the bulk of those snaps.
Without Downs and Dulin available, the Colts return units will take a hit this week. Tyler Goodson and Anthony Gould are two candidates to fill those kick and punt return duties.
At center, Danny Pinter will get the start for the Colts, while Bernhard Raimann returns at left tackle, so Matt Goncalves could slide over to right tackle with Smith out. Blake Freeland could be an option as well.
Sam Ehlinger will always be inactive as long as Anthony Richardson and Joe Flacco are healthy, but he is available as the emergency quarterback option.
Lastly, Hall has been inactive since the Colts claimed him on waivers a few weeks ago, and Land often has been as well when the team is healthy at the defensive end position.
Tight end Will Mallory is active for the first time in three weeks.
