INDIANAPOLIS – Austin Collie's season officially ended Wednesday.
Collie, a second-year wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts who has missed all or part of the last seven games with concussions, was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, a move that ended his 2010 season.
“He certainly is a guy who is going to be missed, but from a medical standpoint,” Colts coach Jim Caldwell said. “Obviously we are concerned more so about his health than anything else. This is the right thing for him at this particularly time.”
Collie, after sustaining a concussion November 7 in Philadelphia, missed the next game before playing part of the first half in New England on November 21. He then missed the next three games.
He returned this past Sunday, caching eight passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns in a victory over Jacksonville, then sustaining another concussion late in the first half.
It's one of the worst parts about football, when you see guys get injured and put on injured reserve – especially a guy who loves football as much as he does – and how much he wants to be out there," Colts quarterback Peyton Manning said. "We just wish him a quick recovery.
“I'm obviously disappointed for him. I know hard he has worked all off-season, and I know how excited he was to be back the other day and how well he was playing."
Collie is the 17th Colts player on injured reserve this season, with tight end Dallas Clark, wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez, safeties Bob Sanders and Melvin Bullitt and cornerback Jerraud Powers also on injured reserve. They also have played without running back Joseph Addai, linebacker Clint Session and cornerback Kelvin Hayden in recent weeks.
“They don't give you any points for that,” Caldwell said. “What counts and what matters is your won-loss records. That's what you have to focus in on, winning games. Anything else is kind of a sidelight.
“The fact of the matter is we have to win. That's what it boils down to.”
Collie caught 58 passes for 649 yards and eight touchdowns this season. Wednesday's move leaves Indianapolis with four-time Pro Bowl selection Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon as the starting wide receivers. Rookie free agent Blair White, who will fill the third receiver role, has caught 30 passes for 284 yards and four touchdowns this season.
“Blair White has done an outstanding job all year, every time he has been called upon,” Manning said. “Somebody else has to step up. You never know who it might be. You never know who's number might be called – depending on the situation or the down and distance.
“Blair will fill into that spot for Austin, and I know he'll do a good job.”
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