Colts rule out Leonard; Taylor has chance to play

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts have dominated out two key defenders with concussion signs forward of Thursday night time’s matchup with the Denver Broncos.

All-Professional linebacker Shaquille Leonard and defensive lineman Tyquan Lewis won’t play after sustaining concussions in Sunday’s loss to the Tennessee Titans, coach Frank Reich mentioned. Requested whether or not the choice was made unbiased of the NFL’s concussion protocol, Reich confirmed the workforce made a unilateral determination to maintain the gamers sidelined.

“These selections had been already made that they are going to be out, even when there was some miraculous (restoration),” Reich mentioned.

Additionally, assessments on Colts RB Jonathan Taylor’s ankle had been unfavorable, and he has an opportunity to play Thursday night time vs. Denver, a supply instructed ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Taylor took a success to the decrease leg on the fourth-quarter play on which he fumbled throughout Sunday’s loss to the Titans. He had 20 carries for 42 yards earlier than leaving the sport.

Leonard suffered the concussion within the second quarter when he collided with teammate Zaire Franklin, taking a shot to the face that left him bloodied.

The league is specializing in head accidents after Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sustained a concussion and was carried off on a stretcher in final Thursday night time’s recreation towards the Cincinnati Bengals, 4 days after exhibiting indicators of a attainable concussion in his workforce’s earlier recreation.

The NFL and NFLPA are anticipated to announce an replace to the league’s concussion protocol amid the controversy across the dealing with of Tagovailoa’s harm.