The Colts weren’t fully staffed to begin with, with quarterback Andrew Luck and safety Clayton Geathers in the concussion protocol and not on the field.
They became even less healthy, losing three starters at key spots as the game against the Steelers wore on.
Via Mike Wells of ESPN, three starters were unable to finish the game, leaving them thin in all the wrong spots.
Wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (back), center Ryan Kelly (shoulder) and cornerback Vontae Davis (groin) left the game with injuries that would keep them from finishing.
Hilton’s came on a big hit from Steelers safety Mike Mitchell, and he tried to come back in the third quarter but only lasted one play.
Kelly, their first-round pick who they planned to lend stability to a shaky line (for Luck and especially with his backup on the field), left in the first quarter and didn’t return.
Davis, the good part of the league’s worst pass defense, was questionable with an ankle injury entering the game but hurt himself trying to defend Antonio Brown in the second quarter.
The Colts have a long break to get ready for next Monday night’s game against the Jets, but injuries are stacking up to the point that there might not be enough time.