Trent Cole not traveling with Colts, out for Sunday's game

The Indianapolis Colts will be without tight end Dwayne Allen, cornerback Greg Toler, and cornerback Darius Butler as they travel to take on the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, and another player has been added to that list of players who won't be playing.  Outside linebacker Trent Cole did not travel with the team to Tennessee, per the Indianapolis Star's Stephen Holder, meaning his status has been downgraded from questionable to out for Sunday's game.

Cole suffered a knee injury in practice this week that limited him in practice on Thursday and kept him out on Friday.  He was officially listed as questionable, but he obviously won't play now that he isn't traveling with the team.  Cole hasn't had much of an impact with the defense this year, but he's still the starter at the rush linebacker spot and, for a Colts team struggling to generate any semblance of a pass rush this year, having to play without Cole isn't ideal.

In his place, it will likely be up to Robert Mathis and Jonathan Newsome to fill in.  It remains to be seen who will get the start, but the Colts will need both players to step up.  Chuck Pagano said earlier this week that they will "start to amp [Mathis' playtime] up" moving forward.  Mathis said Friday that they will "definitely increase the work load each and every week so I look forward to Sunday."  Considering the fact that Cole is now out, it seems like the Colts will not have any choice but to play Mathis more than the 13 snaps he played a week ago and have the veteran pass rusher be a contributor.

They will also need Jonathan Newsome to step up, who had an impressive rookie season last year but hasn't done much this year.  He was injured and missed Monday night's game against the Jets, but he is back now and ready to go.  The Colts will need production out of him as well in relief of Cole.