Indianapolis Colts vs Denver Broncos Inactive and Injury Reports for Thursday Night Football
- The Denver Broncos are 3-point favorites over the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL Week 5 TNF game
- Both Denver (Javonte Williams) and Indianapolis (Jonathan Taylor) are going to be missing their RB1 for this game
- Key linebackers Randy Gregory (Broncos) and Shaquille Leonard (Colts) are also out. See the full Colts vs Broncos injury report below
Neither the Denver Broncos (2-2, 1-3 ATS) or the Indianapolis Colts (1-2-1, 1-3 ATS) are scoring much in the way of touchdowns this season. Each has scored six TDs through four games.
As they shine in the national spotlight on the NFL Week 5 TNF game, both teams will be missing key catalysts for their respective offenses, news that figures to be impacting the NFL odds on the game.
Colts RB1 Jonathan Taylor is sitting this one out due to an ankle injury. The news is much worse for Broncos RB1 Javonte Williams. He’s done for the season and on IR following a knee injury.
Denver is set as a 3-point home favorite for this game. Let’s look at the Indianapolis Colts vs Denver Broncos inactive and injury reports to see who else is ailing and how it might impact wagering on the game.
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Indianapolis Colts Injury Report
Already ailing with turf toe, Taylor’s injury woes were heightened when he suffered a sprained right ankle in last week’s loss to the Tennessee Titans. Last season’s NFL rushing leader hurt his ankle when he rolled up under Tennessee defensive lineman Teair Tart.
Just when they thought that they were getting defensive catalyst LB Shaquille Leonard back in action, he’s right back up on the shelf. A fractured nose and concussion suffered on Sunday against the Titans are ruling Leonard out of this game. He was making his season debut in that game following offseason back surgery.
Shaquille Leonard on Instagram:
He’ll be back 😈 pic.twitter.com/fG9JUBZZNN
— Colts Militia (@coltsmilitia_) October 4, 2022
Leonard is the catalyst for the Colts’ defense. In 2018, he led the NFL in combined (163) and solo (111) tackles. Last season, Leonard picked off four passes and forced eight fumbles, recovering three of them himself.
Another factor in the Colts vs Broncos picks is that Indianapolis is also missing free safety Julian Blackmon. He’s out with an ankle injury. Last season, an Achilles injury put Blackmon on IR.
Denver Broncos Injury Report
In the Colts vs Broncos public betting splits, it’s the Broncos who are the choice of the public in both spread and moneyline wagering. That’s even though Denver will be missing leading rusher Williams, who’s also second on the team with 16 receptions.
He suffered a season-ending knee injury in the third quarter of Denver’s Week 4 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Williams rushed for 903 yards last year in his rookie NFL campaign.
Javonte Williams knee twists/bows out. Structures potentially involved:
1. LCL (MCL sister). ~2-4 weeks
2. Inside joint cartilage. ~2-4 weeks, 4-8 weeks worst case
3. Bone bruise. Week to week
Really, really tough to know with just this angle pic.twitter.com/MRmF3Imgqv
— Edwin Porras, DPT (@FBInjuryDoc) October 2, 2022
Broncos weak side linebacker Randy Gregory suffered a knee injury in the fourth quarter of the Raiders setback. Gregory had already accounted for two sacks and two forced fumbles in four games this season. He’s also been placed on IR.
On the offensive line, Broncos RG Quinn Mienerz (hamstring) and RT Billy Turner (knee) are listing as questionable in the Broncos’ injury report. However, the latest news is that Meinerz is out, while Turner is trending toward playing. If he does play, it will be Turner’s first start of the season.
How Could Injuries Affect Colts vs Broncos Betting Lines?
Amazingly, through 24 high school games, 41 college games at Wisconsin and 37 NFL games for the Colts, this is the first time Taylor is going to be missing action due to injury. He did sit out one game for Indianapolis after being a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
In his absence, Naheim Hynes will be filling Taylor’s shoes. He’s gained 11 yards on the ground thus far this season. That’s one yard less than Colts QB Matt Ryan, who’s not known in NFL circles for his elusiveness.
Phillip Lindsay revenge game tonight in Denver https://t.co/7szRTxcgks
— Barstool Colorado (@CUBarstool) October 6, 2022
An interesting potential play in the Colts vs Broncos player props might be Indianapolis RB Philip Lindsay. He’s being activated from the practice roster. Lindsay posted back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons for the Broncos in 2018-19, so he understands the nuances of running the football in the mile high altitude.
In the absence of Williams, veteran Melvin Gordon is figuring to get the majority of the carries in the Denver backfield. That’s if he can carry the ball without dropping it. Gordon has lost five fumbles in the past five games. Gordon has fumbled in four of Denver’s last five games.
Denver also signed veteran RB Latavius Murray from the practice roster of the New Orleans Saints.
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An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
