Colts expect running back Josh Robinson back for week one

All of the sudden, the Colts' running back position is looking shaky.  There's the ever reliable and consistent Frank Gore as the starter, but after him?  Boom Herron injured his shoulder tonight while returning a kick and was seen with his arm in a sling after the game.  Vick Ballard re-tweaked his hamstring in Thursday's game and is in no way guaranteed of a roster spot.  And then rookie Josh Robinson missed the game as he is still recovering from a concussion.

The Colts will know more on the extent of Herron and Ballard's injuries within a day or two, and then by Saturday we will know which players make the 53-man roster and survive the final cuts.  With the depth at the position not looking too great right now due to injuries, however, the good news is that the Colts expect Josh Robinson to be ready to go in week one.

That's what head coach Chuck Pagano said after the game tonight, as he passed a portion of the concussion protocol but with a short week he wasn't ready in time for a Thursday game.  He should be back at practice on Monday.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pagano: Josh Robinson passed portion of concussion protocol. Ran out of time on short week. Will be ready for Week 1. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Colts?src=hash">#Colts</a></p>&mdash; George Bremer (@gmbremer) <a href="https://twitter.com/gmbremer/status/639623829803933696">September 4, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Chuck Pagano says Josh Robinson (concussion) should be back at practice come Monday. Will be key with shoulder injury to Boom Herron</p>&mdash; Kevin Bowen (@KBowenColts) <a href="https://twitter.com/KBowenColts/status/639623822656847872">September 4, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The sixth round draft pick out of Mississippi State has been one of the most impressive performers of the preseason for the Colts, as he made the most of his opportunities and is a lock to make the roster at this point.  He is likely the number three back behind Gore and Herron, though I'd expect Robinson to get reps as the number two back as well as the season goes on.  He could see that role earlier than expected, however, depending on the severity of Herron's injury.  While the hope is that Herron will be back, the good news is that the Colts should at least have Josh Robinson back for week one, as tonight Chuck Pagano said that the expectation is that Robinson will be out there when the team takes on the Bills.