Reason for Concern?

On the path to a Super Bowl, just as important as the players and talent on a team is the ability of a team to avoid injury. After a few weeks of training camp the Indianapolis Colts have been able to dodge any serious injuries to key players, but they have been plagued with several minor injuries that could effect this team right out of the gate. Three key veteran pieces on this team have been ruled out for Sunday’s preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers, and their availability for the beginning of the season is in question. Dallas Clark, Charlie Johnson and Jeff Saturday are all dealing with injuries that could linger through the beginning of the season, keeping the veterans out through most of the preseason and possibly the beginning of the regular season.

For Saturday, the Colts reported that the veteran center underwent successful arthroscopic knee surgery, which could keep him out 4-6 weeks. With the start of the regular season only a few weeks on the horizon, Peyton Manning may have to take the field against the Houston Texans without the comfort of Saturday protecting him up the middle. Although Saturday has missed time in the past, his absence could be magnified even more because of the other questions surrounding the Colts’ offensive line. The Colts are not as solid and reliable up front as they have been in the past, and without the leadership of Saturday the offensive line could take another step back.

Along with Saturday’s injury, offensive tackle, Charlie Johnson, is expected to miss an extended period of time, meaning only more bad news for a crucial part of this team. With Johnson and Saturday battling through injuries, the Colts will be forced to shift players around and find ways to protect Manning should Johnson and Saturday be unable to go by the beginning of the season.

Jim Caldwell will have to find a way to protect Manning without two of starters up front, but he may also be faced with replacing one of Manning’s top targets over the years. Dallas Clark was carted off the field on Saturday with his leg heavily wrapped. Although Caldwell made a statement that Clark “just got a bit of a little tweak” and that he should be back soon, the overall severity of the injury could be more serious then the Colts are letting on. Clark will not play in the preseason game against the 49ers, but he should reportedly not miss much time. It will be interesting to see whether or not Clark is able to return quickly or if he is nagged be this injury for an extended period of time. As the preseason moves forward one of the major things to keep an eye on will be the health and availability of Clark.

The Colts are no strangers to injuries, and in the past they have found ways to plug-in players and keep on moving. However, with so many questions up front, there seems to be more concern about the depth and ability of the lineman protecting the Colts’ franchise, Peyton Manning. If Manning is not kept upright this team will not be able to contend for a Super Bowl, and he could be placed in situations that could end his consecutive start streak. However, the Colts have dealt with injuries before, and right now they are in a wait and see position with several of their injured players.