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Indianapolis Colts News & Rumors

Colts Fear Ahmad Bradshaw Fractured Ankle

November 17th, 2014 at 8:49am CST by Luke Adams

Colts running back Ahmad Bradshaw left last night’s game against the Patriots early after hurting his ankle, and it appears the injury could sideline Bradshaw for a significant time. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter), the veteran running back is undergoing tests today to determine the severity of the injury and whether surgery is needed, but early indications are that it’s a fractured ankle for Bradshaw.

While Trent Richardson has tallied more carries this season than Bradshaw, the ex-Giant has been Indianapolis’ most effective running back, leading the team with 425 yards on the ground and 4.7 yards per carry. Bradshaw has also been extremely effective as a pass catcher out of the backfield, grabbing 38 receptions and scoring six touchdowns through the air.

With Bradshaw potentially sidelined for the rest of the 2014 season, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link) wonders if Ray Rice, who could be reinstated soon, would be an option for the Colts, given his relationship with head coach Chuck Pagano. Even if Rice becomes eligible to return to the field though, it’s extremely unlikely that any club would take a shot on him this year, in my opinion. Indianapolis figures to lean more heavily on Richardson and Dan Herron, and perhaps add another less notorious back for depth purposes.

Bradshaw’s injury wasn’t the only notable one suffered by the Colts in yesterday’s loss to New England. Per Schefter (via Twitter), the team believes tight end Dwayne Allen suffered a high ankle sprain. If that diagnosis is confirmed, Allen will likely be out for a few weeks, though Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) hears it’s a low ankle sprain, which would allow for a quicker recovery.

Injury Updates: Sunday

November 16th, 2014 at 10:00pm CST by Ben Levine

There were a number of notable injuries today, and PFR’s Dallas Robinson already updated us on some ailing NFC players (Max Unger, Trent Williams and Rafael Bush). Let’s check out the latest on others who were hurt today, as well as a notable NCAA player whose season ended yesterday…

  • Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has bruised ribs with possible cartilage damage, tweets NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. However, the writer notes that there is no fracture or lung injury.
  • Chargers nose tackle Ryan Carrethers dislocated his elbow on Sunday, tweets Michael Gehlken of the U-T San Diego. He is expected to play through the injury and shouldn’t miss a game.
  • Colts tight end Dwayne Allen left Sunday’s game with the assistance of a cart, tweets Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star. Allen injured his right ankle and will miss the rest of the game, writes Mike Wells of ESPN.com.
  • Colts running back Ahmad Bradshaw left Sunday night’s game in the fourth quarter, and Mike Chappell of RTV6 tweets that the running back will be taken for x-rays on his left ankle.

Earlier updates:

  • Georgia running back Todd Gurley suffered a torn ACL in his first game back from suspension, according to Seth Emerson of Macon.com, and the writer notes that Gurley’s college career is likely finished. Regardless, Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole tweets that “NFL folks” still believe the running back will be a first-round pick.
  • Broncos tight end Julius Thomas suffered a sprained ankle in today’s game, according to NFL.com’ Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). He is set to have an MRI on Monday.
  • Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald will undergo an MRI on Monday to check out the seriousness of his right MCL injury, writes ESPN’s Ed Werder.

AFC Notes: Hoyer, Oher, Broncos

November 16th, 2014 at 11:04am CST by Rory Parks

Much has been made of Brian Hoyer‘s future as the impending free agent continues to inch the Browns closer to an improbable playoff berth, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter writes that, if Hoyer does leave Cleveland after 2014–which would “shock” at least one prominent talking head–the Texans would be a likely destination. As Schefter writes, “Hoyer trusts [Texans head coach Bill] O’Brien as much as any coach in the league from their time together in New England, per sources, and would welcome a reunion.” Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt, who was the Cardinals‘ head coach during Hoyer’s one season in Arizona, would also have interest in bringing Hoyer to Tennessee. Schefter writes that a long-term deal between Hoyer and Cleveland will “get done only as soon as the Browns truly are ready to make Hoyer, not Johnny Manziel, their long-term quarterback.”

Now for some more links from the AFC (an NFC Notes post from this busy Sunday can be found here):

Heated Competition Expected For Duron Carter

November 16th, 2014 at 9:34am CST by Rory Parks

Duron Carter, current wide receiver for the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes and son of former NFL great Cris Carter, appears ready to get his shot in the States in 2015. As Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports writes, Carter has emerged as a star in the CFL over the past several seasons and has led Montreal to an improbable berth in the league’s playoffs. Although the former top college recruit has dealt with myriad off-field issues and has therefore been forced to prove himself in Canada, he has apparently matured while playing north of the border and finally appears ready to capitalize on his tremendous potential.

At 6-5 and 205 pounds, Carter has tantalizing physical tools and caught 75 passes for 1,030 yards and seven touchdowns in 2014 after a 2013 campaign that saw him average an astounding 19 yards per catch. La Canfora writes that at least 10 teams have interest in the 23-year-old but that the Colts are currently viewed as the frontrunner for his services. Although the 49ers and Seahawks are also seen as contenders, the impending departure of Reggie Wayne and Indianapolis’ history of gambling on wideouts with checkered pasts–combined with GM Ryan Grigson‘s willingness to take chances and connections with the CFL–point to the Colts as the most likely landing spot at the moment.

In a separate tweet, La Canfora notes that several GMs and scouts believe Carter can be a quality starter in 2015, though he must demonstrate that he has outgrown his previous maturity issues. NFL rules dictate that Carter can begin working out for and negotiating with NFL clubs on December 1, shortly after the CFL season ends, but he cannot officially sign with a team until February. With a thin wide receiver market and a draft class that is not nearly as deep at the wideout position as the historic 2014 group, there will be heavy competition for Carter as he looks to make a belated entrance into the league that his father once dominated.

AFC Mailbags: Tannehill, Landry, Forsett, Shorts

November 15th, 2014 at 9:36am CST by Ben Levine

It’s Saturday, and that means a fresh batch of NFL mailbags from ESPN.com’s writers. Let’s start with some interesting notes out of the AFC…

Poll: Best Head Coaching Candidates

November 14th, 2014 at 11:02pm CST by Rob DiRe

Colts‘ offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton and Browns‘ offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan have accomplished plenty on their offenses this season, with each team currently leading its current division through nine games. Those performances could lead to big paydays as head coaches next season.

They are not the only coordinators being rumored for head coaching jobs. Giants‘ offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo has been talked about as a possible successor for Tom Coughlin. Broncos‘ offensive coordinator Adam Gase could follow the path of his predecessor, Mike McCoy, who jumped from a record-setting Peyton Manning-led offense to the top job for the Chargers.

The defending champion Seahawks have taken a step back from last season, but the market may not have cooled on both of their coordinators. Both offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn have both been talked about as head coaching candidates, with particular interest coming from the Jets if general manager John Idzik is retained in New York and head coach Rex Ryan is fired.

Todd Bowles has helped put together a great defense in Arizona, as the Cardinals have gone 8-1 despite injuries on the defense. Lions‘ defensive coordinator Teryl Austin could be in a similar position, as his team is currently leading it’s division based on the strength of the defense.

Add to the mix the possibility of Jon Gruden or Bill Cowher returning to the sidelines, or even the possibility of a college coach like David Shaw of Stanford jumping to the NFL, and teams will have a number of options should they decide to pursue a new coach in 2015. That list does not include the head coaches that will lose their jobs at the end of the season, a number of them will hit the open market with impressive records of success. That list could include Ryan, Mike Smith, and Jim Harbaugh, among others.

Which Coordinator Would Make The Best Head Coach?
Todd Bowles - Cardinals 25.11% (170 votes)
Pep Hamilton - Colts 18.61% (126 votes)
Kyle Shanahan - Browns 11.52% (78 votes)
Dan Quinn - Seahawks 11.23% (76 votes)
Adam Gase - Broncos 9.31% (63 votes)
Darrell Bevell - Seahawks 8.42% (57 votes)
Other 6.50% (44 votes)
Teryl Austin - Lions 5.32% (36 votes)
Ben McAdoo - Giants 3.99% (27 votes)
Total Votes: 677

Hamilton, Shanahan Head Coaching Candidates

November 14th, 2014 at 7:13pm CST by Rob DiRe

Every offseason, a number of head coaches will lose their jobs after disappointing their fan bases and owners alike, creating turnover among head coaches. Many of these vacancies will be filled by notable head coaches. For example, if Rex Ryan does get fired, as it seems he will, he might be a candidate for another opening around the league.

Even over the last few seasons, former head coaches like Lovie Smith and John Fox were fired from their long time jobs. The coaches had taken the Bears and Panthers to the Super Bowl, and remained competitive in their divisions, but eventually the teams moved on from the highly regarded coaches. Smith took over the Buccaneers this past offseason after only a year away from football, while Fox got the head job for the Broncos and subsequently helped sign Peyton Manning and turning the team’s fortunes around quickly.

You can also bet that Jon Gruden and Bill Cowher will have their names floated for potential head coaching gigs. Another recent Super Bowl loser got a job as a head coach this past offseason in Titans‘ new leader Ken Whisenhunt. However, Whisenhunt first reasserted his value as a coordinator, immediately turning around the fortunes of Philip Rivers and the Chargers‘ offense.

The Chargers’ head coach during Whisenhunt’s lone season with the team, was of course first time head coach Mike McCoy. McCoy, who came off of the record setting Broncos’ staff and coached under Fox, was among the hottest coordinators in the NFL that offseason, and the Chargers could not have been happier with the team’s success in his short tenure there.

Bruce Arians has the Cardinals at 8-1 and in first place in the NFC, after leading the team to a 10-6 record last season and narrowly missing the playoffs. Arians got the job after a year as the offensive coordinator under another first year coach Chuck Pagano in Indianapolis. Pagano, like Arians, has known nothing but success as an NFL head coach.

This offseason, while many teams will kick around the same old names, but a few will be aggressive in going after some of the next group of hot coordinators around the league.

The big name on that list midway through the 2014 NFL season is none other than Colts‘ offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton. Like Arians, Hamilton has taken superstar quarterback Andrew Luck and maximized his talents, producing a efficient and high-powered offense despite lacking an offensive line of pedigree or a reliable running game.

Hamilton has his Colts’ focused, and has not had time to think about his future away from the team, writes Conrad Brunner of 1070theFan.com. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about,” he said. “I’ve barely had enough time to take a break to step away from watching Patriots film.”

It is that intensity that has him as a rumored favorite for the 49ers’ job should Jim Harbaugh leave the team. Hamilton also could be considered for the Giants job if the team does not retain Tom Coughlin going forward.

Hamilton may be getting most of the hype, but there is plenty of time left in the season for other candidates to emerge or even overtake the top spot. Already, another AFC offensive coordinator is challenging Hamilton in Browns‘ coach Kyle Shanahan, reports Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (via Twitter). Shanahan’s ability to squeeze the most out of Robert Griffin III, Kirk Cousins, and now Brian Hoyer has put him in a position to be considered for a premium NFL job.

This offseason a handful of coaches will leave their teams, and some of those jobs will be filled by big name former head coaches. Even still, both Hamilton and Shanahan, as well as other lesser-known coordinators from around the league will get their chances to interview for high profile jobs.

Breer’s Latest: Colts, London, Dez, Peterson

November 14th, 2014 at 4:48pm CST by Luke Adams

Although the Colts did win a Super Bowl with Peyton Manning, the team watched as other clubs with less offensive firepower – like the Patriots, Steelers, and Giants – won multiple titles during the 2000s. So after drafting Andrew Luck, owner Jim Irsay was determined to put together a more balanced roster that was capable of holding its own on defense and special teams as well, writes Albert Breer of the NFL Network. This Sunday’s showdown against the Pats is a major test for the Colts, who have been outscored 102-46 in the two Luck/Tom Brady matchups to date. In addition to exploring that game, Breer also touches on a few other topics of note in his latest column at NFL.com, so let’s round up the highlights….

  • NFL executive VP of international Mark Waller tells Breer that the league was encouraged by the success of the three games in London in 2014. While Wembley Stadium’s availability in 2015 made it impossible to play more than three games there next year, Waller says he’d be “very disappointed” if there aren’t at least four London games on the schedule in 2016.
  • To this point in his career, the Cowboys have kept a close eye on Dez Bryant, but if and when he signs a long-term deal with the club, his status in the locker room will have to change, as will the way the team handles him, writes Breer. As the NFL.com scribe points out: “Players in any locker room keep score by salary and pay keen attention to how their most richly compensated teammates are treated.”
  • “Time served” will be an oft-used phrase during Adrian Peterson‘s hearing this coming Monday, according to Breer, who says that fining and reinstating the Vikings running back is one possibility for the league, rather than assessing an additional suspension on top of the games he has already missed.
  • Breer suggests keeping an eye on the free agent market for quarterbacks this offseason — while there are no huge names on expiring contracts, prospective free agents like Mark Sanchez, Brian Hoyer, and Ryan Mallett could finish the season as respectable starters.

NFL Lifts LaVon Brazill’s Suspension

November 12th, 2014 at 7:39pm CST by Zachary Links

The NFL has lifted the suspension of former Colts wide receiver LaVon Brazill, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Brazill was initially suspended for at least a year without pay for violating the league’s substances of abuse policy.

Shortly after the suspension was handed down, the Colts parted ways with the 25-year-old. However, like Browns star Josh Gordon, his year-long ban was reduced months later. During his sabbatical from the NFL, Brazill signed on to play for the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts and was released last week.

Brazill spent 2012 and 2013 with Indianapolis, hauling in 23 catches for 347 yards and three scores. He saw increased playing time after the injury to Reggie Wayne, but was unable to really make a mark even with additional reps.

Workout Notes: Tuesday

November 11th, 2014 at 6:13pm CST by Zachary Links

We’ll keep track of today’s workouts and visits here..

  • The Colts worked out notable kick returner Josh Cribbs, according to ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter). Cribbs is the NFL’s all-time co-leader in kickoff returns for touchdowns with eight.
  • The Titans worked out former Packers first round pick Derek Sherrod, Yates tweets. The offensive tackle was cut by the Packers late last month.
  • The Panthers also auditioned Sherrod and Kevin Greene, Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post tweets.
  • Defensive tackle Fred Evans tried out for the Seahawks, according to Howard Balzer of USA Today (on Twitter).
  • The Saints tried out safeties M.D. Jennings and Kenny Phillips, according to Balzer (on Twitter). Jamarca Sanford was signed earlier today, so Jennings and Phillips probably won’t be coming to New Orleans.
  • The Saints also auditioned running backs Andre Brown, Tim Hightower, Mikel LeShoure, and Rutgers alum Brian Leonard, according to Yates (via Mike Triplett on Twitter).
  • The Packers looked at defensive tackle Kenny Horsley, safety Kimario McFadden, and linebacker Chaz Sutton, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com tweets.
  • The Falcons are working out former Utah State center Tyler Larsen today, a league source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (on Twitter).
  • The Dolphins worked out Jonte Green, Wilson tweets.
  • The Seahawks worked out running backs Johri Fogerson, Stanley Havili, and Karl Williams, Wilson tweets.
  • The Titans worked out tight end Dorin Dickerson today, Wilson tweets. The Titans removed him from the IR with an injury settlement in August.
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