Best guesses on Colts injury report for Jets playoff game
We’ve seen the injury report on the Colts, and I know people have a lot of questions about certain players. We’ve got 11 questionables on there. I didn’t think the Colts were practicing Friday, except for a walk-through, but maybe they did. Don’t see an “estimation” disclaimer on the injury report. Here’s what I’m expecting from the guys on the list.
S Al Afalava (ankle) — He was listed as full Friday, so I expect the backup safety and special-teams player to play.
RT Ryan Diem (back) — He was a DNP all week, which suggests the worst, but this guy rarely misses a game and I don’t think this is a new injury. Could be wrong, but I expect him to play. If not, it will be either rookie Jeff Linkenbach or Michael Toudouze at that spot.
CB Kelvin Hayden (neck) –A DNP all week, he hasn’t practiced in more than two weeks. As much as the Colts could use him, I don’t expect him to play.
DT Antonio Johnson (chest) — Limited for a couple days, a DNP Friday presumably for treatment. I still expect him to play.
DT Dan Muir (chest) — Full all week and he told me yesterday, “I’m straight.” Expected to play.
S Mike Newton (hamstring) — Limited Friday after a couple DNPs, I’m not sure. Backup and special-teams guy probably plays.
RB Dominic Rhodes (hip) — After two days of DNP and treatment, he is listed as limited Friday. But he has said he will play. He’s a gamer. Expected to play.
OG Jamey Richard (concussion) — Don’t know much about his situation, but a DNP all week, which suggests he’s inactive. Not expected to play.
LB Clint Session (elbow) — A DNP all week, which means the two fulls a week ago were probably enough to show he’s not ready. That he didn’t practice at all this week makes me wonder if he’s done and won’t be back if the Colts win. Not expected to play.
OL Jaimie Thomas (ankle/back) — Full for a couple days, then a DNP Friday. If the Colts need him to block on special teams, maybe with Richard likely out, he suits up. Won’t be surprised either way. Expected to play if needed. If he’s a scratch, it’s not because of the injury, IMO.
WR Reggie Wayne (knee) — Old injury, no big deal. Limited Thursday, full Wednesday and Friday. Reg will play.
Big Game Tonight in Evanston
Both Indiana and Northwestern may be 0-3 in conference play, but that doesn’t make tonight’s game at Welsh-Ryan Arena any less important. When the day ends, one of these teams is going to be 0-4 and alone in the cellar in the Big Ten. It’s not like either of these teams were expected to compete for a conference title but in terms of continuing to try and get back in the race for postseason play this is a big one.
I know that since IU lost to Penn State, Indiana fans have re-assessed their predictions and most people I hear from are now saying they only expect the Hoosiers to win a couple of games in the Big Ten. I’m still not sure. I think IU played much better against Minnesota and there could be some reason for optimism there. But in order to get people back on the bandwagon they have to win a couple of games they aren’t expected to win. I think this one falls into that category. That’s because IU is 1-18 on the road in Big Ten games under in the last three seasons. Obviously, the only way for that to change is to pick up a road win along the way and games against Northwestern, Iowa and Michigan in particular would appear to be the best shots at road victories. Penn State, despite beating IU in Bloomington, would normally be on that list, too, but the Hoosiers only play the Nittany Lions one time this season.
Northwestern is in a bit of tailspin itself, having lost four of five, but I’m certain the Wildcats are looking at IU as a team they could get well against. And that may be true. But if the Hoosiers can get a hand in the face of Northwestern’s shooters and not allow them to start knocking down shots from distance, there’s no reason Indiana couldn’t come out of there with a W.
My hope is to tweet throughout the game but I’ll have to wait and see what the wireless set up is like at Northwestern. It has been a challenge at a couple of Big Ten venues.
Hibbert seeking help
ATLANTA – Roy Hibbert said a few weeks ago that he was contemplating talking to somebody to help him get through the most trying time of his young NBA career.
Hibbert is about to take the next step with that.
He said after Saturday’s game that he plans to meet with a sports psychologist when the team returns from its current two-game road trip, which wraps up Tuesday in Philadelphia.
“Going to talk to somebody is not perceived as a bad thing anymore,” Hibbert said. “Other players have done it and the way things have gone it has taken a toll on me.”
You can’t blame the big fella for wanting to get help. He’s beat up mentally. His slump has lasted for almost six weeks. He got called for two traveling violations while attempting to make a move to the basket against the Hawks.
Hibbert, the anchor in the middle for the Pacers, is shooting 34 percent (54-of-158) from the field in the past 13 games.
His last dominating performance was when he had 24 points, 12 rebounds and six assist against Pau Gasol and the Los Angeles.
That was back in late November.
The Pacers, who are six games under .500, need Hibbert to produce if they expect to turnaround their season.
“That’s obviously a major, major problem for us because he’s our low-post threat,” O’Brien said. “In the NBA if you’re not getting something down in the low post then you have to manufacture ways to score.”
