As if the Colts didn't get off to a rough enough start already, the Colts will be without defensive captain and inside linebacker Gary Brackett and newly acquired linebacker Ernie Sims.
According to head coach Jim Caldwell, "Gary and Ernie both will not play this week. There’s not a whole lot of guesswork involved. We’ll just make the adjustments we have to make and we’ll move forward from there."
Brackett however left open the possibility of playing, saying, "Just some edema in there, some swelling, we’ll see how it recovers. Right now, we’re just taking it day-by-day. Hopefully it improves. If not, it’s the next man up."
The loss of one, if not both, will be a huge blow to an already suspect defense and leave the Colts dangerously thin at linebacker. Without Brackett the Colts will have to rely on second year linebacker Pat Angerer and Adrian Moten and Phillip Wheeler will be forced to play a greater role in trying to slow down Browns running back Peyton Hillis.
The Colts also resigned linebacker Nate Triplett, one of the last players originally cut, in order to bolster the unit.
Usually the Colts don't announce injury news so early in the week leaving it doubtful that either Brackett or Sims will play. Let's just hope both are one week ailments.