Latest on Colts injuries to Shaquille Leonard, Kwity Paye, Jonathan Taylor, Nyheim Hines
INDIANAPOLIS - The Colts will be without two original defensive starters again this week, now with the challenge of knocking off the defending AFC South champions.
Indianapolis has ruled out All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard as well as defensive end Kwity Paye for Sunday's road game against the Titans. The team also ruled out linebacker JoJo Domann with an abdomen injury and wide receiver Keke Coutee with a brain injury.
The Colts do expect to have running back Jonathan Taylor back from an ankle injury and running back Nyheim Hines back from a brain injury. A full game status report will be available Friday afternoon.
Leonard practiced this week for the first time since breaking his nose and suffering a brain injury on the same play in the first meeting against the Titans. He had an operation to fix the nose and waited for the swelling to go down. He then practiced in limited fashion Wednesday before returning to a full practice Thursday and Friday, but the Colts want him to practice more before playing him in a game.
Leonard has played in part of just one game this season after missing the first three games while recovering from an offseason back surgery.
"It's just frustrating," Leonard said. "You're hurt but you want to be out here with the guys. You want to play football. You want to do what you love. You want to do what you enjoy. And you can't do it. It just sucks, man. It sucks that you feel like you let the team down and you let the organization down."
Paye will miss a second straight game with the ankle he hurt against the Broncos. The second-year pass rusher was having a strong start to the season with three sacks in five games, and the Colts missed his presence as an edge setter against the Jaguars on Sunday, when they allowed 243 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Tyquan Lewis and Dayo Odeyingbo will split reps in his place.
The Colts offense will be at full strength this week after missing Taylor and Hines for all but three total plays the past two weeks. After Deon Jackson filled in for 10 catches for 79 yards last week, Hines is ready to get back into his normally versatile role.
"That was the first game I missed in my career. That means a lot to me," Hines said. "I want to be as durable as I can. I think I've proven I'm durable. I like to be as available as I can. I had to take that one on the chin last week, and that was pretty hard."
Contact Colts insider Nate Atkins at natkins@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @NateAtkins_.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts injury report: Latest on Leonard, Paye, Taylor, Hines and more
