Following Friday’s practice, Indianapolis Colts’ head coach Shane Steichen ruled out wide receiver Ashton Dulin and offensive tackle Braden Smith for Sunday’s game against Denver.
Neither player practiced at all during the week.
Dulin is still working through an ankle injury that he suffered against Detroit and kept him out of the team’s Week 13 game versus New England. Dulin has not practiced since the injury occurred.
In terms of snaps, Dulin has regularly been the Colts’ fourth receiver this season, often out-snapping rookie AD Mitchell. As a pass-catcher, Dulin has just two receptions, but is frequently used in the run game as a blocker, along with even carrying the ball five times.
Where Dulin’s biggest impact comes is on special teams, where he has played the third-most snaps on the team this season, including as a kick returner and flier on the punt coverage unit.
Without Dulin, the Colts will lean more heavily on Mitchell on offense along with Anthony Gould–and Tyler Goodson–handling kick return duties.
Smith is listed as being out due to a personal matter. On Wednesday, Steichen said that it was unlikely that he would play against Denver and when asked if Smith would return some time this season, Steichen replied with, “I don’t know yet.”
Without Smith, rookie Matt Goncalves will get another start at right tackle. Both he and the rest of the Colts’ offensive line faces a big test this week against a Denver front that has been one of the best at pressuring the quarterback and limiting the run game.
