UPDATE (5:20 p.m. ET): T.Y. Hilton’s X-rays came back negative, according to Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano. The wide receiver suffered a bruised left knee.
Hilton is expected to miss time, according to Colts owner Jim Irsay. That’s obviously a blow to Indianapolis’ offense, even if the injury isn’t as serious as initially feared.
ORIGINAL POST: Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton left Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills with a left knee injury. He was ruled out for the game shortly after.
Hilton exited the game after Andrew Luck threw a touchdown pass to Donte Moncrief at the end of the third quarter for Indianapolis’ first points of the 2015 season. The Colts announced Hilton was undergoing X-rays on his left knee.
While the extent of Hilton’s injury is unclear, it’s obvious the Colts’ offense would suffer without its No. 1 receiving threat. Hilton has big play potential as Luck’s top target, and his absence would force the fourth-year quarterback to turn his attention elsewhere.
The Colts, of course, have Andre Johnson, so it’s not like they would be incapable of overcoming Hilton’s absence, especially given Luck’s potential under center. Receivers like Moncrief and Phillip Dorsett would need to step up, though. Tight ends Dwayne Allen and Colby Fleener probably would see an uptick in targets, too.
For now, Indianapolis will hold its breath and hope Hilton doesn’t miss any time beyond Week 1.
Thumbnail photo via Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports Images
