Colts were without 7 key starters in Thursday practice

The Indianapolis Colts dealt with notable injuries to Carson Wentz and Quenton Nelson in training camp and it doesn’t seem as though those woes have improved in recent weeks. If this week’s injury report turned out to be any indication of Sunday’s game against the LA Rams, other than Wentz’s clean bill of health, things are worse.

The Colts were without four key starters in Wednesday’s practice because of injury, then they added three more to the Did Not Participate list on Thursday:

WEDNESDAY

• Did Not Participate — LB Darius Leonard (ankle), G Quenton Nelson (foot/back), CB Xavier Rhodes (calf), OT Braden Smith (foot)
• Limited Participant — OT Eric Fisher (Achilles), DE Al-Quadin Muhammad (ankle), DE Kwity Paye (hamstring), DE Kemoko Turay (groin)

THURSDAY

• Did Not Participate — TE Jack Doyle (rest), LB Darius Leonard (ankle), G Quenton Nelson (foot/back), DE Kwity Paye (hamstring), CB Xavier Rhodes (calf), OT Braden Smith (foot), S Khari Willis (illness)
• Limited Participant — OT Eric Fisher (Achilles), WR Mike Strachan (ankle), DE Kemoko Turay (groin)
• Full Participant — DE Al-Quadin Muhammad (ankle)

All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson suffered a foot injury in August and he returned to start in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks, but is listed on the report this week with a DNP for foot and back issues.

Leonard is a potential Defensive Player of the Year candidate but he’s been held out for an ankle injury this week.

Right tackle Braden Smith is emerging as one of the better players at his position in the NFL, but has been a DNP for a foot injury.

Xavier Rhodes will be tasked with guarding Robert Woods or Cooper Kupp on Sunday if he suits up, however he’s been held out with a calf issue this week.

On Thursday, tight end Jack Doyle had a rest day, first round defensive end Kwity Paye was held out because of his hamstring, and starting strong safety Khari Willis was dealing with illness.

Left tackle Eric Fisher is looking to return after tearing his Achilles in 2020 and he was held out in Week 1. Seventh round rookie Mike Strachan was a standout in camp and with TY Hilton on injured reserve, the Colts would like to see him playing against the Rams; Strachan was limited with an ankle issue.

For the Rams side, things are not too bad.

Aaron Donald had a rest day on Wednesday, as did Terrell Lewis and Andrew Whitworth. Only Sebastian Joseph-Day (knee) was held out. We will update after their Thursday report is released.

Whether the Colts will be without any of their key starters is unknown, but Friday’s report could either be littered with guys returning to the field, or more bad news for Indianapolis.