Colts rule Chris Carter out vs. Raiders, two others questionable

The Indianapolis Colts are heading to Oakland to take on the Raiders this weekend, and the good news for the Colts is that they look to be as healthy as they’ve been all season.

The only player ruled out for the Colts is depth outside linebacker Chris Carter, who has played mainly on special teams but missed practice this week with a shoulder injury. The Colts have also listed cornerback Rashaan Melvin (knee) and offensive lineman Joe Reitz (back) as questionable, but other than that everyone is good to go.

This is, in fact, the best the injury report has looked all season. Only one other time this year in the regular season have the Colts only ruled out one player, and that week Patrick Robinson was also listed as doubtful and didn’t play (so two players missed the game with injuries). So to have only one player out and zero doubtful this week makes it the healthiest injury report we’ve seen yet this season in 15 games.

The loss of Carter won’t be a major one, and it’s uncertain whether Joe Reitz will even be in the starting lineup if he’s able to go. With Denzelle Good back the Colts might opt to put him in at guard over Reitz at tackle, or the Colts might opt to stick with the lineup they had last week that worked out well. The most significant loss of these three players would actually be Rashaan Melvin, who will likely start at cornerback opposite of Vontae Davis as long as he’s able to go. He’s had a good year with the Colts, and it’d be significant to lose him as he’s a solid corner.

What this injury report also means is that players such as Denzelle Good (concussion), Donte Moncrief (hamstring), and others will return to the field on Saturday after missing last week’s game. That will be a boost to the team, and they’ll need all the help they can get against a good Raiders team. Unfortunately it might be too little too late for the Colts, but at least it looks like they’re starting to get a healthy 53-man roster now.