Week 6 Jets-Colts: Injury Report and Analysis

Aug 26, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets center Nick Mangold (74) during the first half of their game against the Carolina Panthers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-US PRESSWIRE

Jets

DNP

Kenrick Ellis (Knee)- Ellis was injured filling in for Pouha, depleting the defensive line depth.

Sione Pouha (Back)- Pouha hurt his back and it is unclear whether he will face the Colts. The Jets signed DT Daniel Muir for depth at the position and it looks like Damon Harrison will start if Pouha and Kenrick Ellis can not go. This leaves the middle of the line exposed, look for the Colts to try and exploit that with the run game as the Jets have struggled stopping the run up to this point. Without Pouha and Ellis there could be some gaping holes in the middle.

Nick Mangold (Ankle)- Mangold is suffering from an ankle injury similar to, but not as bad as the sprain he had last season. Right now it looks as if he will not play, although coach Rex Ryan is holding out hope. That deals a blow to the Jets offensive line which has not been spectacular to begin with. It will be interesting how Sparano tries to compensate for Mangold’s absence if he does not play.

John Conner (Hamstring)- Conner is still battling a hamstring injury that kept him out against Houston. Lex Hilliard will again play in place of Conner if he can’t make it come game time.

Clyde Gates (Shoulder)- Gates left the Houston game in a sling, and it is looking unlikely that he’ll be on the field against Indy. Newcomer Jason Hill will likely see more reps in his absence as the Jets struggle to keep receivers healthy.

LaRon Landry (Heel)- Landry likely sat to rest his heel as he has been doing all year. He did sit out part of the Houston game though it didn’t seem to be for injury reasons. Look for him to be in uniform against the Colts.

Limited

Bart Scott (Toe), Brian Thomas (Hamstring), David Harris (Hamstring)- Bart Scott did not practice due to a toe injury, but is expected to play against the Colts. With all the injuries on defense, they can’t afford to be missing linebackers especially after Josh Mauga was placed on IR. Thomas and Harris are banged up but likely to play as well on Sunday.

Jeremy Kerley (Illness/Finger)- Kerley was limited with a finger injury and illness, but he will likely play against the Colts. They need him as he has been productive the last couple games and Sanchez barely has anyone else to throw the ball to.

Eric Smith (Knee)- Eric Smith is still nursing the knee injury that kept him out at the beginning of the year. However he has been playing through it and will be in action again this Sunday. If anything happens with LaRon Landry’s heel look for Smith to step in.

Stephen Hill (Hamstring)- Hill began practicing again and there is a chance he will play against the Colts. They could use him for sure as the receiving corps is a mess.

Dustin Keller (Hamstring)- Keller has missed the last four games but coaches are optimistic he will play Sunday. Sanchez could use him, as he has been a reliable target over the last few years and there is a dire need for someone to get open. If he comes back playing full speed he could make a big impact on the offense.

Colts

Out

Robert Mathis (Knee)- Mathis will miss the game rehabbing a knee injury. His counterpart on the line Dwight Freeney will play, but it makes things easier on the Jets line that they only have to account for one of the two. Still, with the offensive line banged up it will be tough regardless.

Donald Brown (Knee)- Brown will be out for two to three weeks after having surgery earlier this week on his knee. This leaves Vick Ballard as the Colts starting running back. Ballard doesn’t have breakaway speed, however he can pick up chunks of yards. The Jets could use a confidence boost on defense and stopping this run game might be the way to do it.

Vontae Davis (Ankle)- Davis is questionable for the game with an ankle injury. If he is missing it can only help the Jets receivers in getting open. Davis is a good cornerback and his absence should allow Sanchez to find some holes in the Colts defensive backfield.

Pat Angerer (Foot)- Angerer is questionable as well, however his replacement Jerrell Freeman has filled in quite admirably in his absence. If Angerer can go along with Freeman, the Jets ground game may continue to struggle as these two are underrated at snuffing out the run.