After taking their first loss on the field last week, the Indianapolis Colts absorbed one off the field ahead of a Sunday home game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Indianapolis (3-1) found out Wednesday night that cornerback Xavien Howard, who started the team’s first four games, is retiring.
Howard was a two-time All-Pro from 2016-23 with Miami, twice leading the league in interceptions. However, he struggled with the Colts in a close win over the Denver Broncos in Week 2 and in a 27-20 road defeat against the Los Angeles Rams last week.
Howard permitted five catches to Puka Nacua for 71 yards and four first downs, plus a game-tying touchdown.
“I’ve had a hell of a career and even though it’s ending in a unique way, I’m cool with that,” Howard said on social media. “Because for once, I’m putting my family first. I’m proud and excited about that decision.”
With Howard and his 29 career picks now gone for good, the Colts’ options to fill the position include Mekhi Blackmon and Johnathan Edwards. Kenny Moore II will sit out his second consecutive game due to an Achilles injury. Blackmon is more likely to draw into the lineup than Edwards, a rookie.
Also sitting out for the Colts will be running back Tyler Goodson (groin), wide receiver Alec Pierce (concussion), cornerback Kenny Moore II (achilles) and safety Daniel Scott (knee).
Give all that, Indianapolis’ best defense could be its potent offense, which ranks fourth in the NFL at 30.8 points per game. Although Daniel Jones threw his first two interceptions of the year last week, he is completing 71.9 percent of his passes and owns a career-high passer rating of 103.3.
Top receiver Michael Pittman — 21 receptions, 234 yards, three TDs — was added to the injury report late in the week with a hamstring strain but was fine for Friday’s practice. The Colts could see the return of starting guard Matt Goncalves (toe) after he missed the Rams game but was able to practice.
Las Vegas (1-3) comes into town after a bitter 25-24 home defeat last week against Chicago. The Raiders led most of the game before the Bears scored with 1:34 left. Las Vegas then had a chance to win it, but Daniel Carlson’s 54-yard field-goal attempt was blocked with 33 seconds remaining.
It was the third straight defeat for Las Vegas, spoiling a breakout game from rookie running back Ashton Jeanty. He compiled 155 total yards, including a 64-yard touchdown run, one of his three scores on the day. No player in the league has more broken tackles than Jeanty’s 15 this year.
“He is the type of guy that is downhill and really has a full bag,” Indianapolis safety Cam Bynum said of Jeanty. “He’s one of those guys that’s really good, and his running style is what makes him who he is.”
With Jeanty finding his best form, the Raiders’ next task is to get Geno Smith squared away. The veteran quarterback tossed three interceptions against Chicago, giving him an NFL-high seven through four games. By contrast, Smith threw 15 picks in 17 games last year with the Seattle Seahawks.
“He isn’t backing away from anything,” first-year Las Vegas coach Pete Carroll said. “He’ll tell you exactly that he was responsible and he needs to make the play and come through and do that for us.”
Eric Stokes (knee), the Raiders’ best cornerback through four weeks, returned to practice but was limited this week. He left the Chicago game late and has been designated as questionable for Sunday. Also questionable are tight ends Brock Bowers (knee) and Michael Mayer (concussion). Bowers’ outlook looks particularly shaky, after he followed a limited participation day on Wednesday with two days of sitting practice out.
Raiders left tackle Kolton Miller (ankle) was placed on injured reserve and will miss the next four weeks at minimum after leaving last week’s game.
The Colts have won eight of the teams’ past 11 meetings.
–Field Level Media
