Colts face cornerback concerns after opening win

INDIANAPOLIS - Breaking the NFL's longest active non-winning streak in season openers came at a price for the Indianapolis Colts.




Colts Head Coach Shane Steichen said Wednesday that starting cornerback Charvarius Ward is in the league's concussion protocol and backup Jaylon Jones "will be out for a while'' with a hamstring injury.




Both were injured in Sunday's 33-8 victory over the Miami Dolphins.




It's possible Ward could progress through the concussion protocol and be available for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos at Lucas Oil Stadium, although the majority of concussed players miss at least one game.




Clearly, Jones faces extended time off. Steichen didn't rule out placing Jones on the injured reserve list, which would require him to miss at least four games.




"I don't have a timetable on it,'' he said.




The 2023 seventh-round draft pick has started 27 of 34 games, including all 17 last season. He missed the final three weeks of the preseason after injuring his left hamstring.




The absence of one, or obviously both, would stress the depth of the cornerback room.




Xavien Howard and Kenny Moore II are solid, and supported by Mekhi Blackmon, who was acquired in an Aug. 25 trade with Minnesota, rookie Johnathan Edwards, who was inactive against Miami, Chris Lammons, who's on the practice squad, and Keydrain Calligan, who was signed to the practice squad this week.




"Whoever's on that field, we've got faith in,'' Steichen said.




You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.





via: https://fox59.com/sports/colts/colts-face-cornerback-concerns-after-opening-win/