INDIANAPOLIS – There’s no panic despite two missteps to start the season, but a sense of urgency resonates.
“I mean, I’d be a liar if I said nothing changed,’’ veteran cornerback Kenny Moore II said this week. “It definitely hurt being 0-2.
“But just in my career, I’ve been in this position before. So, it gives me strength, just knowing that we can fight back out of this. We just have got to trust each other and use each other to be better.’’
While confidence remains high in the Indianapolis Colts locker room as they head into Sunday’s meeting with the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium, they’ve already put themselves in a tenuous position.
They’re looking to avoid the first 0-3 start since 2021 and just the ninth since 1984.
Doing so would be a good idea for a team that entered the season with a minimum goal of earning its first playoff berth since 2020.
Over the past quarter-century (since 1999), 129 teams have opened a season 0-3. Only the 2018 Houston Texans were able to regroup and earn a spot in the postseason.
The Colts have never done so in their Indy-Baltimore history.
Since ’84, they’ve managed a winning record just twice after starting 0-3: 9-8 in ’21 when a closing meltdown against the Raiders and Jacksonville kept them from the postseason, and 9-7 in ’88. The Colts have lost at least 13 games five times after an 0-3 start.
“I think you keep the positive attitude,’’ coach Shane Steichen said. “Even though when you start 0-2, it’s hard, right? Shoot, it’s human nature.
“It’s hard, but you’ve got to keep the positive attitude because it’s a long season. We get a home opportunity this weekend against Chicago that our guys are excited for. No doubt about it.”
Injury update
For the first time in three weeks, the Colts haven’t ruled anyone out of the game.
Wideout Michael Pittman Jr. was one of three players who did not practice Friday and is questionable with back and calf injuries. Rookie end Laiatu Latu (hip) is also questionable. He was limited in Friday’s practice after being held out the previous two days.
Steichen was asked if Pittman was in danger of missing Sunday’s game.
“I don’t think so,’’ he said.
Joining Pittman as spectators Friday were center Ryan Kelly (rest) and right tackle Braden Smith (knee).
Also, wideout Josh Downs went through a full week of practice and will make his first appearance of the season. He missed the first two games with a sprained ankle. Downs was limited in two practices last week and full on a third.
The Colts opted to keep him out of the Green Bay game to ensure he was fully recovered.
“Those things kind of linger sometimes,’’ Steichen said. “So, we’ve just got to make sure. But (he) looked good this week for sure.
“Great week. Great to have him out there running around.’’
Matt Gay is in line to kick after missing Wednesday’s practice with a quadriceps injury.
Safety Julian Blackmon will return after missing the Packers game with a shoulder injury.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.
