It was expected, but it wasn't what anyone wanted to hear.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Austin Collie suffered his third concussion -- or potentially fourth -- of his career Sunday night after taking Pittsburgh linebacker Larry Foote's forearm to his head, head coach Chuck Pagano confirmed Monday.
"He came in and felt really good (Monday), which was positive for us,” Pagano told the Indianapolis Star. “We’ll just take it day to day with him, but we’ll be smart.”
Collie used Twitter to update his status Monday night: "Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers. I'm doing really well and feeling great."
There is a mountain of discourse concerning concussions in football, of course, especially in light of past players showing evidence of brain injuries after their playing career have ended. The Internet is already abuzz with pieces analyzing Collie's upcoming decision.
The fact is, concussions can have a cumulative effect, and three in 22 months is certainly cause for concern. Pagano said Collie will be day-to-day and that the team will take every precaution in his recovery.
From a football perspective, Collie is needed on the field. The Colts are thin at receiver beyond Reggie Wayne, with a host of rookies and newcomers battling for playing time. Donnie Avery -- Collie's backup -- hasn't played a down in preseason due to an injured hip. As it stands without Collie, the wide receivers corps would likely consist of Wayne along with rookies T.Y. Hilton and LaVon Brazill. The only other receiver on the roster that has seen time in an NFL regular season game is Quan Cosby, who has a meager six catches in four seasons.
Better news: Neither OLB's Robert Mathis' shoulder injury nor DE's Cory Redding's knee injury are serious. Mathis will be fine, and an MRI on Redding's knee indicated only a sprain. Redding will be out a week and Mathis isn't expected to miss any time.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Colts blogger Evan Hilbert, follow @CBSSportsNFLIND.
