INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indianapolis Colts continued their preparation for the Denver Broncos on Thursday, but they were without two critical starting defenders in top pass rusher Laiatu Latu and No. 1 cornerback Charvarius Ward.
Ward has been out since reporting concussion symptoms to the Colts on Monday morning following the team's win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Latu was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a hamstring injury and was fully out on Thursday.
Here's how each team's health is shaping up ahead of Sunday afternoon's AFC battle at Lucas Oil Stadium.
COLTS
- Did Not Participate — CB Jaylon Jones (hamstring), CB Charvarius Ward (concussion)
- Limited Participant — RB Tyler Goodson (elbow), DE Laiatu Latu (hamstring)
- Full Participant — WR Alec Pierce (knee), WR Michael Pittman Jr. (glute)
THURSDAY
- Did Not Participate — CB Jaylon Jones (hamstring), DE Laiatu Latu (hamstring), CB Charvarius Ward (concussion)
- Limited Participant — RB Tyler Goodson (elbow), DT Grover Stewart (rest)
- Full Participant — WR Alec Pierce (knee), WR Michael Pittman Jr. (glute)
Latu's remaining absence is a concern, given that he is the defense's most promising edge rusher. If he were to miss the game, the Colts would replace him with a mixture of Samson Ebukam, Tyquan Lewis, and JT Tuimoloau.
Ward is in the NFL's concussion protocol, which he must progress through before earning clearance from an independent neurologist to play.
Jones will be out "a while," according to head coach Shane Steichen on Wednesday, although the team does not yet have a timetable for his return.
Goodson continues to be a limited participant in practice while recovering from a dislocated elbow, just as he was all of last week. After sporting a modest sleeve on his elbow last week, he was seen wearing a bulkier brace over it on Thursday.
Steichen will give his final update on injured players to the media on Friday afternoon following practice.
BRONCOS
WEDNESDAY
- Did Not Participate — TE Nate Adkins (ankle), DE John Franklin-Myers (knee), LB Dre Greenlaw (quadricep)
- Limited Participant — TE Evan Engram (calf)
- Full Participant — LB Alex Singleton (thumb)
THURSDAY
- Did Not Participate — LB Dre Greenlaw (quadricep)
- Limited Participant — TE Nate Adkins (ankle)
- Full Participant — TE Evan Engram (calf), DE John Franklin-Myers (knee), LB Alex Singleton (thumb)
Franklin-Myers, Greenlaw, and Singleton are all starters for the Broncos' defense, which is the strength of their team. The trio's status will need to continue to be monitored. Franklin-Myers and Singleton were both full participants on the second day of practice, while Greenlaw remained out.
Adkins and Greenlaw were both out last week against the Tennessee Titans.
The Colts host the Broncos this Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium at 4:05 p.m. ET.
Jake Arthur has been covering the Indianapolis Colts for over a dozen years and is a member of the PFWA. He's one half of the Locked On Colts podcast and has worked for the Colts' official website, On SI, and more. You can follow him on X @JakeArthurNFL.