Pat Angerer Misses Practice with Concussion-like Symptoms, Doubtful for Sunday

Strange news out of Indianapolis today as the team inches closer to kicking off their 2013 season.  Pat Angerer sat out of practice with concussion like symptoms and his status for Sunday's game is in doubt.

Yes, this was the first practice he has missed since suffering a concussion over a week ago.  I don't get it either.  Chuck Pagano said he wasn't sure when the injury occurred, although Pat Angerer said that it happened on the very first playof the final preseason game against the Bengals that was played on Thursday, August 29.  Since he played 23 snaps total, that means he played 22 more plays after the injury, as well as practiced a couple of days before finally being held out today.  To the team's credit, there was no indication that Angerer had suffered a concussion when he was playing during the game, and the situation points to the fact that the league's concussion testing program still isn't perfect at detecting concussions.

The Colts officially listed Angerer on the injury report as doubtful for Sunday's game, so we probably won't see him.  That's ok, though, because his backup is actually better than him.  Except for the fact that his backup, Kavell Conner, is also injured and has already been ruled out for Sunday's game with an ankle injury after missing practice this entire week.  So that leaves Kelvin Sheppard to start at inside linebacker beside Jerrell Freeman, and that honestly is a scary thought.  Sheppard had a bad preseason.  Even if you don't like Angerer, he's still better than Sheppard (or at least better than what Sheppard has shown so far).  Yeah, people will say it's only the Raiders, but it doesn't matter who the opponent is, you don't want to start the season off by playing your third inside linebacker.

Other injury updates:

Fili Moala (foot) and David Reed (head - concussion) are both listed as questionable on Sunday.  Fili Moala was a full particpant while Reed did not practice.

The other players on the injury report are all probable, including Dwayne Allen, Coby Fleener, Ahmad Bradshaw, and Anthony Castonzo.  Pagano said today that Castonzo "looks great" after practicing for the second straight day and should absolutely be ready to go Sunday, which is good news because the Colts will need him (especially because Mike McGlynn will also be ready to play Sunday).

Reggie Wayne also missed practice today for personal reasons but he should be back tomorrow in plenty of time for Sunday's game.