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Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich had his weekly conference call Monday with the media and gave several updates
Per Coach Reich, S Khari Willis and WR Michael Pittman Jr. are in concussion protocol.
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 28, 2020
Franck Reich began his conference call giving injury updates from the Steelers game. Safety Khari Willis and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr are both in the leagues concussion protocol. Willis left the game after getting injured on a special teams play, he was checked for a concussion in the blue medical tent and later ruled out with a concussion. Pittman also picked up a concussion during the game and like Willis has entered the leagues concussion protocol. Losing Willis hurt the Colts on Sunday as Tavon Wilson, his back up, was out of position twice on scoring plays. If Willis and Pittman can’t clear the concussion protocol this week they will be huge losses for the Jaguars game.
Colts injury updates—
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) December 28, 2020
Anthony Castonzo: team will know more later in the week
Braden Smith: Covid list; if close contact can return Weds
Khari Willis and Michael Pittman: in concussion protocol
Frank Reich gave updates on the Colts starting offensive tackles. Castonzo’s injury status will be known by the team later in the week. Castonzo had been dealing with a knee injury before also injuring his ankle last week and ended up missing the Steelers game. Castonzo looks like he could miss this weeks game too unless he can progress through the week. Smith was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list last week and missed the Steelers game. If Smith is just a close contact of someone who tested positive then he can return on Wednesday. However, if he tested positive himself he could miss the Jaguars game this Sunday too. The Colts are in dire need of both Castonzo and Smith returning as soon as possible as the team could be heading to the playoffs and need their starting tackles available.
Given the lack of starting OTs, Reich said the first half was "one of our better halves of football" offensively. 21 points against a top-ranked defense.
— George Bremer (@gmbremer) December 28, 2020
On the flip side, too many sacks, too many turnovers. Not good enough in situational football. #Colts
The Colts were without both there starting left and right tackle against the Steelers. Reich talked about this and said given the lack of starting offensive tackles the first half was one of the better halves of football the Colts have played all year, scoring 21 points against a top ranked defense. Reich then went onto to talk about the flip side, saying their were too many sacks, too many turnovers and not being good enough in situational football. The Colts played a very good first half of football offensively considering they were down both starting offensive tackles but it was a major factor in why the Colts ended up losing the game too, hopefully they can return this week.
Lots of scenarios that can play out this weekend, Reich keeping it simple. #Colts can only control beating the Jags. Without that, nothing else matters. They have great respect for a Jacksonville team that beat them in Week 1.
— George Bremer (@gmbremer) December 28, 2020
Frank Reich went on to talk about the potential play off scenarios this weekend. But kept it simple saying the Colts can only control what they do themselves and that starts with beating the Jaguars. The Colts need to beat the Jaguars and get some help by either the Browns, Dolphins, Ravens or Titans losing their game too. The Colts losing to the Steelers took the playoffs out of their hands and now they need help to get in. Whereas if they would have beat the Steelers then all they would need is to beat the Jaguars and not rely on anyone else.