Colts Injury Report: T Smith and WR Johnson OUT. T Castonzo and DE Muhammad QUESTIONABLE

The Indianapolis Colts today released their final injury report for week 16 of the NFL season.

Left tackle Anthony Castonzo is QUESTIONABLE with knee and ankle injuries. Castonzo had been struggling with a knee injury which he picked up a few weeks ago against the Titans. He only managed to participate once in practice all week and even that was only limited. If Castonzo can’t play then the Colts have two options, either start back up offensive tackle Chaz Green or slide Quenton Nelson over to left tackle. Both options come with there negatives, Green is not a good option at left tackle as he hasn’t show any level of good play and sliding Nelson over from guard to left tackle means having to weaken the left guard position too. Hopefully Castonzo can play Sunday or the Colts will be in trouble.

Defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad is QUESTIONABLE with an ankle injury. Muhammad missed practice yesterday but did manage a full practice today so looks like he has a real shot to still play. Muhammad is a key rotational defensive end piece for the Colts as he is strong against the run and solid against the pass too.

Wide receiver Marcus Johnson has been ruled OUT with a quad injury. Johnson injured his quad last week against the Texans and couldn’t return to the game. Johnson missed practice all week with the injury. The Colts will have to rely on DeMichael Harris, Ashton Dulin and maybe could even see Dezmon Patmon active for his first game this season to help fill the void at the wide receiver position.

Offensive tackle Braden Smith has been ruled OUT with a non injury related reason. Smith was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list today. It is unclear as to whether Smith tested positive or is just a close contact of someone else who has tested positive. Losing Smith is a huge loss for the Colts, as they will face one of the best defenses this Sunday who have a potential defensive player of the year on their defensive line in TJ Watt. With Catonzo QUESTIONABLE and Smith OUT the Colts offensive line will have it’s hands full Sunday. Colts could replace Smith with back up offensive tackle Chaz Green or give rookie Danny Pinter a shot. Pinter played right tackle in college although he has been used mainly on the interior offensive line with the Colts.