As Funchess Heads to Injured Reserve, What Are The Colts Options?

Indianapolis Colts’ wide receiver Devin Funchess has been placed on the Injured Reserve list. During the Week One match-up with the Los Angeles Chargers Funchess broke his collarbone. While the injury is not season ending, because he was placed on the Injured Reserve list Funchess is unable to play again until the week ten match-up against the Miami Dolphins.

Colts' wide reciever Devin Funchess catches a pass against the Los Angeles Charger. Photo Courtesy of Colts Wire-USA Today.

This is a blow to the Colts’ receiving unit as Funchess was expected to be the number two receiver behind TY Hilton. According to ESPN.com, when asked about the injury Colts’ Head Coach Frank Reich said, “It's a tough break for Devin. We really love Devin. Just felt like there was a growing chemistry between he and Jacoby (Brissett) -- Jacoby really likes throwing him the ball; he's a big, strong guy. So he'll bounce back from this thing and get ready to go." With Funchess out at least until week ten, here are three options for the Colts moving forward.

Wide receiver Brandon Marshall with the Denver Broncos. Photo Courtesy of American Football Fandom.

One option would be to sign a big name, but older veteran receiver. Two possibilities here are Brandon Marshall and Dez Bryant. Bryant was most recently with the New Orleans Saints, but was unable to play a game due to tearing his Achilles tendon in practice. Bryant is often a wild card in the locker room and coming off a major injury such as this, you never know what his production would be. I do not see Colts’ General Manager Chris Ballard bringing in Bryant. Marshall worked out for the Colts in early August, but nothing ever came of it. He also was recently a member of the New Orleans Saints for a month last season, but did not appear in a single game. While I do not think Ballard will go this route either, signing Marshall is the more likely of the two.

Wide receiver Krishawn Hogan in Colts training camp. Photo Courtesy of Colts Wire-USA Today.

A second option would be to sign a receiver that had been with the Colts during the preseason to provide depth. The most likely possibility here would be for the Colts to sign Indiana native and Marian University Indianapolis alumnus, Krishawn Hogan. Hogan was previously with the Colts for two games of the 2017 regular season before tearing his ACL. In the 2019 preseason Hogan had twelve receptions for 132 yards. If Ballard signs anyone, I believe that Hogan would be the most likely option.

The final option is that Ballard signs no one and it is next man up for the Colts. If so that means wide receiver Deon Cain is going to have a much expanded role for the rest of the season. That seems to be where the team and Ballard are headed.

Whichever way the Colts decide to go, I believe that Ballard will make the correct decision. Luckily for the Colts, they still have a ton of weapons on the offensive side of the ball for quarterback Jacoby Brissett. So as we continue the season, In Ballard We Trust.