Tough loss for the Indianapolis Colts and for fantasy managers who took a chance on Vick Ballard as a lottery ticket. It was announced Friday afternoon the lead running back for the Colts suffered a rare non-contact knee injury in Thursday’s practice that will keep him out the rest of the season.
Starting running back Vick Ballard suffered a freak knee injury at Thursday’s practice, a person informed of the injury told NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport.
Colts owner Jim Irsay confirmed the injury on Friday, and tweeted that Ballard is headed for injured reserve. Shortly after Irsay’s confirmation, coach Chuck Pagano told reporters that Ballard suffered an ACL tear on a non-contact play, per Colts.com reporter Kevin Bowen.
Ballard, who led all Colts running backs with 966 yards from scrimmage as a rookie last year, rushed for 63 yards on 13 carries in the season opener .
Ahmad Bradshaw will help soften the blow somewhat, but don’t expect him to just jump into the every-down back position. The Colts will have to find another guy to serve in a committee role; otherwise Andrew Luck and Co. might have trouble moving the chains if they are forced to turn into the 2012 Detroit Lions and have to throw it 7,000 times a game.
Donald Brown and Kerwynn Williams are expected to compete for the No. 2 spot, which is subject to change upon outside transactions that could be made.
Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him on @JHelmuth or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
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