Two All-Pros Miss Practice for Colts

The Indianapolis Colts are nearly a full week removed from a 12-9 Thursday Night Football victory over the Denver Broncos, but they remained without their two biggest stars at Wednesday's practice. Running back Jonathan Taylor and linebacker Shaquille Leonard were absent for today's session, as were cornerback Stephon Gilmore and center Ryan Kelly. Taylor and Leonard both missed Week 5's game against the Broncos, Taylor with an ankle injury, and Leonard with a combination of a concussion, a broken nose, and a back injury. Gilmore played extensively, even forcing an incompletion on the final snap of overtime. Kelly exited in the second quarter with a hip injury. 

Gilmore, listed as missing the practice due to rest and coming off a blinder against the Broncos, is the only player certain to be ready for Week 6 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Leonard has missed all but one game this season with a variety of ailments, Kelly's injury appeared severe enough to necessitate an extended absence, and the team will be careful with Taylor's health to make sure he's available for the stretch run. Leonard, Taylor, and Kelly were all Pro Bowlers for the Colts in 2021. Leonard led the league with eight forced fumbles, and Taylor finished as the league leader in rushing yards, total touchdowns, and yards from scrimmage with a sensational 1811 rushing yards, 360 receiving yards, and 20 touchdowns.

Many teams in the league would look at a game against the Jaguars as an opportunity to heal up and cruise to an easy win, but the Colts don't have that luxury. They've lost two straight games to the Jags, scoring 11 total points and allowing 50. If the Colts remain without their best players, they could easily find themselves in a 2-3-1 hole after Week 6.
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