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Bjoern Werner has been improving a lot this season as the Colts' first round draft pick. Unfortunatley, the most improvement he will be doing in the next few weeks is just trying to get back on the field.
Chuck Pagano said today that Werner suffered a torn planter fascia and will miss 4-6 weeks. Obviously, that is a big blow to the Colts but especially to Werner's development.
Pagano talked about how it was a shame that the injury happened, as Werner has been improving every week and playing faster and with more confidence. Now, he'll miss a month.
Cam Johnson will step into Werner's role and take over. Johnson was acquired by the Colts in a trade with the 49ers just before the start of the regular season. The trade now looks to be a rather significant one, as they have someone right there ready to step in for Werner.
The injury won't affect the Colts as much as it will Werner. For a rookie, he needs to be on the field and needs to keep improving. Sure, he hasn't looked good at times, but that's what his rookie season is for - to adapt to the NFL level and make himself into the best player he can become. While he can certainly still do that, missing time hurts, especially when it's a month or so.
One other injury update of note is that fullback Stanley Havili's MRI on his ankle was negative and he is "day to day," which basically means nothing for the Colts. The more significant update is the roster move the Colts made, which was to bring back fullback Robert Hughes to the team and waive wide receiver Griff Whalen. Both moves make sense: Hughes will play a lot if Havili cannot go next week, and if he can then Hughes will provide the depth needed should another injury occur. Whalen will not longer see as much playing time with LaVon Brazill coming back from his suspension starting today.
Brazill is eligible to practice now and still has a one week roster exemption, so no move is required yet. The Colts are going to see where he is at this week and then make a decision on him. So while Brazill doesn't officially take Whalen's spot on the roster (as Whalen was waived to make room for Hughes), in essence he does and he will fill that role.