The Indianapolis Colts received some very tough news on Monday that no NFL team wants to hear. That news was their superstar on defense, Robert Mathis, will miss the season after tearing his Achilles tendon, according to multiple sources. The injury occurred when Mathis was working out last week in Atlanta, Georgia.
Head coach Chuck Pagano had this to say, "We hate to lose anybody. A devastating blow for Robert, the team."
Robert Mathis was originally suspended four games for the use of an illegal drug. This drug was originally on the list of drugs he could take, as it was to be used as a fertility drug. The commissioner, Roger Goodell, said that he could not use it and he was to be suspended. The Colts expected Robert Mathis to be back after those games. Unfortunately, he will now miss the entire season.
This is what the Colts did not need. The defense does not look nearly as good without him on the field. The defense recorded only one sack on Sunday night against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.
Robert Mathis had his best season in 2013 with 19.5 sacks. He has racked up 111 sacks in his twelve year career. After the Colts released Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis stepped up and did a fantastic job of replacing him.
The Colts will now have to come up with a plan as far as a replacement goes. In addition, they will have to figure out how to make this defense better without him. This Colts defense could not stop Peyton Manning on Sunday night like they did last season. Robert Mathis was a key in that 2013 win by making critical hits and helped cause a safety.
The Indianapolis Colts were the favorite in the AFC south. They are probably still the favorites but this definitely lessens their chances of winning the division. It will be interesting to see how that defense plays without their defensive leader. That leaves Bjoern Werner or Erik Walden as the possible replacements.
The Colts do have options with Mathis. They could possibly cut him at the end of the season or sign him to a short term deal. The former probably will not happen, but it is always a possibility in the NFL.