The Indianapolis Colts will play in their second preseason game of the 2015 season tonight as they host the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET, their home opener. The roof and window will be open and it's a perfect night for some football, but there are some players who won't be on the field tonight.
Here's the list of the Colts' inactives for tonight's game:
Quan Bray, WR (groin)
Jalil Brown, CB (hamstring)
Coby Fleener, TE
Nate Irving, ILB (knee)
Robert Mathis, OLB (Achilles) *PUP*
Tevin Mitchel, CB (shoulder)
Donald Thomas, OL (quad) *PUP*
Hugh Thornton, OL (knee)
There aren't a ton of surprises on this list, as Irving, Mathis, and Thomas haven't practiced at all since the start of camp as they're still recovering from injuries, and Mathis and Thomas are still on the PUP list. Tevin Mitchel hasn't practiced since he was claimed on waivers from the Redskins, and in fact he hasn't even been assigned a jersey number yet. He is expected to miss the entire season, but the Colts must wait to place him on their injured reserve list unless they want to subject him to waivers - something they obviously don't want to do. And then Hugh Thornton was injured in practice this week and was described as "week to week" with a knee sprain. While it won't require surgery, he will likely miss a significant period of time - as the "week to week" designation for the Colts typically coveys the player will be out several weeks.
As for Bray and Brown, they were both injured in practice this week as well and were described as "day to day," but with the Colts that can mean a week or two. We just don't know with that designation because of how varied the definition can be. Regardless, it's tough timing for the two of them, as they are both looking to earn a spot on the 53-man roster - Bray as the number six receiver and Brown as the number five corner. This doesn't mean that they won't make it, but it will give others the chance to impress in preseason while they're not playing.
UPDATE: Per FOX59's Mike Chappell, it appeared as if Coby Fleener was "bothered" by a "minor ankle injury" in practice this week. Whatever the injury actually is, WTHR's Bob Kravitz confirmed that it's a "very minor injury" and that his absence is just a precaution. Remember, it's preseason. Fleener's roster spot is secure, so the Colts are going to take it easy with him and not rush him back if he's a little dinged up.