Colts rule out five players for Sunday’s game vs. Packers, including two starting offensive linemen

Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano announced today that safety Mike Adams, linebacker Chris Carter, defensive lineman Kendall Langford, guard Jack Mewhort, and tackle Joe Reitz are all out for this Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers.

The most notable aspect of that group is that two starting offensive linemen will both miss this Sunday’s game. Reitz is still dealing with a concussion and going through the protocol, while Mewhort will miss his third straight game with a triceps injury. Mewhort’s return date is uncertain, as he had a setback in practice last week. But he for sure won’t be playing on Sunday, but with Reitz out it likely will force Joe Haeg to slide to right tackle. Then at left guard, it likely will be Jonotthan Harrison filling in, which would mark his first start of the season. With the performance of the line already shaky, this many moves isn’t exactly comforting.

Safety is another position worth monitoring on Sunday’s game, as with Adams out it will be T.J. Green filling in. Green has played in seven games this year and started one, but he’s been struggling. Adams will miss his first game of the year and has been a steady player in the secondary, so he will be missed. The safety position will be occupied by Clayton Geathers and T.J. Green on Sunday, so it will be a big opportunity for the rookie Green.

One player who isn’t listed as out is cornerback Vontae Davis, who suffered a concussion last week. Davis passed the first part of the protocol earlier this week and was on the practice field the past two days in a red non-contact jersey, so he’s still in the protocol. Pagano anticipates him passing the final part of the protocol today, and then he would see an independent doctor tomorrow. If he’s cleared by that doctor, then he would be ready to play Sunday. So it’s no sure thing that he’ll play, but it sounds like the Colts expect him to pass the concussion protocol and be out there on Sunday against the Packers. And the Colts could really use him, as they’ll be facing Aaron Rodgers and a very dangerous passing offense.