Colts rule four players out for Sunday’s game vs. Lions

Colts head coach Chuck Pagano today ruled out cornerback Darius Butler, cornerback Vontae Davis, safety Clayton Geathers, and defensive lineman Henry Anderson for Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions. He also listed offensive lineman Joe Haeg and inside linebacker Sio Moore as questionable, saying that everyone else will play.

UPDATE: The Colts’ official injury report that was released later this afternoon does list Jack Mewhort as questionable, meaning that there’s still a chance he won’t play. Since Pagano didn’t mention him among the injured players, however (plus Jim Irsay’s tweet this afternoon), it seems likely that he’ll be ready to go.

The most notable aspect of this injury report is who will play, as neither Jack Mewhort nor Kendall Langford were listed by Pagano, though Mewhort was listed on the official report later in the day. The NFL got rid of the probable designation this year, so if there’s any doubt about a player actually playing he will be listed as questionable. The fact that Langford isn’t means that they he play, which is great news for the Colts. Pagano was still rather noncommittal about how much Langford and Mewhort will play, but it sounds like they should be ready to go.

The Colts will be without two cornerbacks, but that was expected. They have made plenty of moves at the position to add depth, and Patrick Robinson and Antonio Cromartie will start while Darryl Morris and Rashaan Melvin add depth guys. The Colts are thin there, but with two key guys out they’re just trying to get by until Butler and, more importantly, Davis get back.

Quarterback Andrew Luck will also play, though that was never really in question. Pagano said that Luck has been limited in practice simply because of past history and that there’s really “nothing” there to discuss, saying Luck is fine. Pagano said it wouldn’t be a surprise if Luck is still limited next week and moving forward as the Colts just try to be safe and keep him healthy.