Colts vs. Jaguars: Erik Walden, Greg Toler downgraded to out for Sunday's game

On Friday, the Indianapolis Colts ruled out quarterback Andrew Luck, left tackle Anthony Castonzo, inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman, and outside linebacker Daniel Adongo for Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Today, they added two more names to that list, as neither outside linebacker Erik Walden nor cornerback Greg Toler traveled with the team, meaning they obviously won't play.

With those two being ruled out, the Colts will now know six of their seven inactives for the game a day before they will even play, and the list includes five starters.  Luck, Castonzo, and Freeman are still week to week with their injuries and therefore are no surprise to miss this week, though the hope is that the Colts will be getting them back soon.  Daniel Adongo is out after police responded to his home this week amid a potential investigation.  Erik Walden was initially listed as doubtful on the injury report with a foot injury and he has been downgraded to out, while Greg Toler was listed as questionable with a knee injury and is also now out.  The other questionable players, D'Qwell Jackson, Colt Anderson, and Khaled Holmes, will all be game-time decisions.

With Walden out, the Colts will have a few less-than-ideal options to replace him.  The most obvious would be Bjoern Werner, who has been disappointing enough that the Colts have had their former first round pick inactive in recent weeks.  He might be the best run defender among the options, though, so we'll see whether he gets one last shot with the Colts.  If not, Trent Cole would likely get the start there, as he has actually made a few plays in the run game this year.  With Cole taking Walden's spot, that would leave Robert Mathis at the rush linebacker spot.  So the Colts have options, but neither are great ones.

With Toler out, the Colts will also have options there.  Head coach Chuck Pagano said that they would leave Darius Butler in the slot instead of starting him on the outside like they did earlier this year (that didn't work out well at all), which is the right move.  That would leave either rookie D'Joun Smith or the recently re-signed Jalil Brown to start outside opposite of Vontae Davis.  My guess would be that it will be Smith making his first career start, which will give the Colts a good opportunity to see what he can do against a couple of good Jacksonville receivers.