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Colts embracing next man up mentality following T.Y. Hilton’s injury

(WISH Photo from video)

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — In the final hours of the NFL preseason, more injury news rolled in for the Indianapolis Colts: A neck injury will sideline wide receiver T.Y. Hilton for some time

“Obviously, losing T.Y. is a huge, a huge loss,” tight end Jack Doyle said.

“You know, him missing games, alright, that’s an obvious big blow,” head coach Frank Reich added.

Hilton’s injury is the cherry on top of the Colts’ preseason of misfortune. What do you even say when your team is struck again by bad luck?

“That I love you buddy, you know, and he’s gonna be alright,” Doyle said. “T.Y. is as tough as they come, and he’s gonna put the work in and get right. He’s promised us that.”

“It’s just unfortunate,” Reich said. “I had said several times to (general manager) Chris (Ballard), I really thought T.Y. was looking as good this training camp as I’ve seen him. He looked as fast as ever and as instinctive as ever. Even in the short time that he and (quarterback) Carson (Wentz) worked together, I could tell instant connection. I could feel that in talking to Carson.”

So, with two weeks to go before the season and their top target out of the equation, what’s the team’s new victory formula?

“Well, we have depth in that position with Ashton (Dulin) healthy, with Mike Strachan, ZP (Zach Pascal) going to be ready to go,” offensive coordinator Marcus Brady said. “Parris (Campbell) looked good this training camp. We’ve got plenty of weapons.”

Campbell shares Brady’s optimism.

“I think you can use the word opportunity,” he said. “Obviously, we’re all aware of the loss. We all feel for T.Y., but it’s definitely an opportunity, opportunity for young guys to step up and make plays.”

“Frank (Reich) and Chris (Ballard) and our staff has done such a great job,” Doyle said. “We have so many guys that can help us out, and we spread the ball around so much. It’s tough, but I don’t think that record indicates what this team, what this team this year in 2021 is about.”

The record Doyle’s referencing? The Colts have one win and nine losses when Hilton’s not on the field.