Shane Steichen and the Colts faced with coaching adjustment they couldn’t have possibly prepared for following unfortunate injury
The Indianapolis Colts are navigating a very unexpected injury following an unfortunate sideline collision in the final play of their preseason opener against the New England Patriots.
One thing that sucks about the NFL preseason: injuries.
Mostly, that’s reserved for players. But for the Indianapolis Colts, the coaching staff is also dealing with one unfortunate injury. Friday’s update confirms the team’s fears around it.
Colts special teams coordinator
On Thursday night’s preseason opener, Colts special teams coordinator Brian Mason was part of a sideline collision involving a Colts and a New England Patriots player. Mason was knocked down and was visibly in pain.
Mason has since been confirmed to have torn multiple knee ligaments, according to Indy Star’s Colts insider Joel A. Erickson. Mason flew back to Indianapolis with the team Thursday night.
Unlike a player, the Colts can bet on Mason to keep coaching with a knee injury. However, adjustments will be needed and since it’s not a scenario NFL teams really prepare for, it forces head coach Shane Steichen and Co. to face a very unfamiliar scenario.
According to James Boyd from The Athletic, “the Colts haven’t gotten that far into next steps yet,” regarding potential steps forward.
Mason could coach from the booth or the Colts could look for an in-house replacement. Joe Hastings is the team’s senior assistant special teams coach.
In 2011, then New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton tore his MCL and suffered a tibia fracture. After surgery, he moved to the coaching booth after the game and called plays from upstairs. He later returned to the sidelines and used crutches.
We’ll see what the Colts’ course of action is here but one thing is clear. This is an unfortunate development and one without much precedent to go off of.
For now, the Colts have a long week ahead of them. They don’t take the field until Saturday, Aug. 22, against the Atlanta Falcons. With this being the preseason, they’ll have added flexibility to adjust.
