Indianapolis Colts Dealing with Safety Injuries Early in Training Camp

The Indianapolis Colts are only two days into training camp, and they are already dealing with injuries. Specifically, the safety position is becoming their primary concern.

When players began reporting to Anderson University Monday, starting safety Clayton Geathers arrived in a walking boot. The second-year safety broke his foot working out on his own after Colts’ minicamp concluded last month.

Tuesday, head coach Chuck Pagano confirmed the injury and listed Geathers as “week-to-week.”  Geathers is three weeks into his rehab, and the Colts are “hopeful” he will be ready to play by Week 1 of the regular season.

The Geathers injury opened the door for rookie safety T.J. Green to get a lot of solid reps during training camp. Unfortunately, this opportunity quickly closed because the young safety suffered an injury in camp.

More from Indianapolis Colts

• The Indianapolis Colts Have a Brutal Road Schedule in 2019
• Who Could the Indianapolis Colts Target in Free Agency?
• Here is Where the Colts Will Pick in the First Round of the NFL Draft
• What’s Next For the Indianapolis Colts?
• Hey Kansas City, the Indianapolis Colts are Coming

On the second day of camp, Green fell to the ground holding his calf during practice. Originally, everyone thought it was only cramps because it was very hot. However, the training staff later diagnosed Green with a minor calf strain. After practice, Pagano said Green is “day-to-day.”

After two days of training camp, the Colts are suddenly thin at safety. Obviously, both guys are going to be back on the field at some point before the season. However, missing practice time is a big deal.

Training camp is when teams want to start building continuity within their starting units and special packages. Geathers is a starter while Green will be a rotational backup player. The fact these guys are missing time early could hurt the Colts’ defense later.

In the meantime, the Colts only have two experienced safeties that are healthy: Mike Adams and Winston Guy. Adams is 35 years old and is also prone to injury at times. Guy was only used in a limited role by the Colts last season.

Due to these two injuries, the Colts are experimenting with another player at the safety position. Immediately after Green’s injury, Pagano moved cornerback Darius Butler to the safety position. Pagano explained that Butler can play safety if the Colts are thin at the position, like they are now.

"“You know, he did some stuff for us in years past. We’ve had packages that Darius went in and played a safety position. Really, really smart guy. Great pro. Knows the outside, knows the nickel, knows the safety spots, so his versatility gives us an opportunity and a chance to, if we do have a guy get nicked and a guy go down… We only get to dress 46 on gameday as you know, so it’s great to have guys like that who can play different spots.”"

No team wants to deal with injuries in training camp, especially ones that involve key players. However, the Indianapolis Colts should feel fortunate Geathers and Green will return for the season. Other NFL teams will be less lucky.

Next: Colts: Patrick Robinson’s 2016 Player Profile

There is not much worry about Green because he should be back soon. However, Geathers is a bigger concern because he will miss most of training camp and the preseason. It will be interesting to see how the Colts manage the safety position until both players return.