INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — On the surface, the Indianapolis Colts have a significant challenge ahead of them this Sunday on the road against the Los Angeles Rams. However, the trip has become more daunting, as they will be without two starters on offense and another on defense, in wide receiver Alec Pierce, right guard Matt Goncalves, and slot cornerback Kenny Moore II.
After all three players missed the entire week of practice with injuries, head coach Shane Steichen spoke to reporters on Friday afternoon and declared the trio out.
Pierce suffered a concussion late in the third quarter of last week's win over the Tennessee Titans, the third documented concussion of his career. In his place against Los Angeles, expect to see much more of AD Mitchell and Ashton Dulin.
Goncalves played throughout the game but began the week with a toe injury suffered during the game. Steichen confirmed that second-year player Dalton Tucker will start for Goncalves at right guard.
Moore, as expected, will be out, but there is still no timetable for his return, and Steichen said that Injured Reserve is still not being considered. Steichen also confirmed that newcomer Mike Hilton, whom the Colts signed this week to the practice squad to fill in for Moore, will be called up for the game.
The Colts and Rams play on FOX at 4:05 p.m. E.T. at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Cal.
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.