Mike Wells, ESPN Staff Writer 8y

Colts secondary doesn't look pretty after Pro Bowl CB Vontae Davis' injury

INDIANAPOLIS -- It’s easy to understand why Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano described his team’s cornerback situation as being “not pretty” and even a “little scary.”

A Colts team that already had issues on defense is dealing with injuries to its top five -- yes, five -- cornerbacks.

The biggest blow came Monday when Pagano announced that Pro Bowl cornerback Vontae Davis would be “week-to-week” while dealing with a medial right ankle sprain.

There should be legitimate concern, because when Pagano has said "week-to-week" in the past, it usually has meant that the player is out for an extended period of time. It also doesn’t help that I spotted Davis quickly (as quick as an injured player can move) making his way out of the locker room while wearing what appeared to be a cast on his right foot.

Heading into the season, there were two players the Colts couldn’t afford to be without for an extended period of time on defense: Davis and linebacker Robert Mathis. Davis went through a stretch where he didn't give up a touchdown reception in 25 straight games, and the Colts don't have to worry much about giving up big plays on his side of the field.

And to make matters worse, Patrick Robinson (groin), D'Joun Smith (knee), Darius Butler (hamstring) and Jalil Brown (foot) are all battling injuries.

Ouch.

The Colts are hoping to have Butler and Brown back at practice Tuesday. Robinson is day-to-day, and Smith is being limited on how many snaps he can play so that he doesn’t suffer another setback with his knee.

So here’s the list of healthy cornerbacks the Colts currently have on the roster: Tay Glover-Wright, Christopher Milton, Tevin Mitchel, Winston Rose, Darius White and Frankie Williams.

Those six cornerbacks have combined to play a total of one NFL game at that position. Milton and Rose have numbers that they share with two offensive teammates.

Lack of depth at cornerback and a questionable pass rush could be disastrous for a defense that finished 26th in the NFL last season.

Ouch. Ouch.

Colts general manager Ryan Grigson isn't wasting any time looking for help. The Colts are going to work out Antonio Cromartie and likely other free agent cornerbacks who are available. The 32-year-old Cromartie played in 15 games for the New York Jets last season.

“It is what it is,” Pagano said. “Not much we can do about it. We’ll make the appropriate adjustments. Ryan and his staff will scour the landscape. We'll look on the street. We'll look wherever we have to look.”

The Colts open the season against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 11.

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