Football is a collision sport.
In the National Football League, where the world’s top athletes collide with each other at full speed, surviving a season without bumps and bruises is an achievement in itself.
Life in the NFL is dictated by a team’s ability to adjust to the certainty that key players go down on a regular basis.
And not even Super Bowl champions are immune.
Following their 30-28 week four victory over the Denver Broncos, the undefeated Indianapolis Colts again find themselves adjusting to the dreaded injury bug. Several Colts starters left last week’s game due to injury, among them wide receiver Marvin Harrison, running back Joseph Addai, safety Bob Sanders and linebacker Rob Morris.
For quarterback Peyton Manning, watching his equally durable receiver in Harrison stay down Sunday caused some concern.
“You never want to take for granted Marvin’s durability,” Manning said. “He’s a guy that doesn’t stay down unless something’s wrong. He’s played through a ton of injuries; he’s played hurt a lot and really doesn’t let anybody know it. We just hope he gets back, but there’s no question it’s different when he’s not out there.”
While Harrison, Addai and Sanders’ status for Sunday’s contest versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is uncertain, Morris’ prognosis appears most severe, as reports indicated a likely season-ending knee injury.
Though Morris’ Colts career has been replete with more valleys than peaks, the linebacker has provided a real spark for the defensive unit, particularly since last year’s struggles against the run.
But defensively, the Colts have learned to deal with season ending personnel losses. Before the regular season began the team lost a critical starter in defensive tackle Anthony McFarland.
As they seek to maintain their momentum against coach Tony Dungy’s former team this weekend, the team is maintaining its high expectations, starting now with its reserves.
“Guys have got to come in and step up,” said linebacker and defensive captain Gary Brackett. “Guys get hurt frequently. It’s something we practice for, and guys just have to step in and do the job.”
One of those players expected to assist in Morris’ absence is second year linebacker Tyjuan Hagler. The Colts’ fifth round draft pick in 2005, Hagler is not pleased by the cause of his increased time on the field, but knows it is the reserves job to be ready when called upon.
“Coach Dungy always says whether you’re a starter or not, you’re only one play away from being on the field,” Hagler said. “And when you’re in there you’ve got to play like a starter. We don’t want to lose a beat. That’s how it is around here.”
Against Tampa Bay, the Colts will see a team starkly different from that coach Dungy molded into a defensive juggernaut. However, the 3-1 Bucs are atop a bad NFC South Division and are making a strong case for a playoff spot.
The Colts will have extra time to nurse injuries after Sunday’s contest, as a timely bye week follows.
