Colts Receiver Austin Collie placed on injured reserve after second concussion
The injury problems just keep piling up for the Indianapolis Colts, and Quarterback Peyton Manning has now lost another one of his top receivers for the rest of the season.
Austin Collie suffered his second concussion of the season on Sunday in the Colts’ win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, resulting in the team placing him on injured reserve on Wednesday. Even though Collie has been playing for his second year now, Manning
believes that he is losing a veteran receiver. Although he has been out for five games and half of three more, Collie leads the team with eight touchdown receptions. He is also second in receptions with 58, and third in receiving yardage with 649 yards.
"He's fast, he's got a good feel for zones, he understands defenses. He has his physical talents, but also, his experience has helped him play at such a high level at such a young point in his career," Manning said.
Collie was taken down in the first half of their game against the Jags, when Jacksonville linebacker Daryl Smith seemed to hit him on the head with his forearm, as Collie was taking a low catch.
Colts Coach Jim Caldwell said, "He (Collie) certainly is a guy that's going to be missed. From a medical standpoint, we are concerned more so about his health than anything else. This is the right thing for him at this particular time."
The Colts are already a couple of players short. Running back Joseph Addai has already missed eight games so far as a result of a shoulder injury. Both receiver Anthony Gonzalez and Dallas Clark are out for the season, and will hopefully be back sometime
next season.
Despite the injuries, the Colts have to get on with their season and fight for a spot in the playoffs. Collie emerged as a rising star receiver last year during their AFC Championship Game against the New York Jets. He made seven receptions for 123 yards
and one touchdown. This season in their first game Collie caught 11 passes for 163 yards, and a touchdown against the Houston Texans. He then caught 12 passes for 171 yards, and two touchdowns two weeks later against the Denver Broncos. Collie suffered his
first concussion on 7 November in their game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The frightening collision in the second quarter of the game put Collie out for their game against the Cincinnati Browns, and he played for only part of their next game against the New England Patriots because he felt nauseous.
He sat out their next three games, against the San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, and Tennessee Titans before coming back to play against Jacksonville. He made eight receptions for 87 yards in that game, before suffering another concussion.
Manning said, "Obviously, it's disappointing for him. I know how hard he's worked all off-season. I know how excited he was to be back the other day, and how well he was playing."
Blair White will play in place of Collie against the 7-7 Oakland Raiders next Sunday at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
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