Indianapolis Colts rule out Greg Toler

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Greg Toler (28) celebrates a play against the Oakland Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts won 21-17. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

At least the Indianapolis Colts will be facing Ryan Fitzpatrick instead of Jake Locker tomorrow night, because their secondary is still likely going to have issues. Starting cornerback Greg Toler was a solid offseason signing for the Colts and holds an important role as the team’s No. 2 corner opposite from standout Vontae Davis, but Toler has been out since suffering a groin injury in Week 7. He’s going to miss his third straight game this week, too, as ESPN NFL Nation’s Mike Wells reports that Toler will be out again this week.

The Colts will face off the rival Tennessee Titans tomorrow night, and hopefully Fitzpatrick doesn’t burn Cassius Vaughn often with speedster Nate Washington, because Fitzpatrick’s arm strength isn’t too shabby (it’s his accuracy and decision-making which stink). Toler isn’t a big name or anything and isn’t even that good of a player, but he’s a quality starter and plays a key role on the Colts defense.

With Toler starting, you know what you are getting. He isn’t a physically gifted player or great cover corner with top-notch ball skills, but he is a solid starter who doesn’t get burned often. The Colts are much worse against the deep ball and much more burnable with Vaughn starting instead of Toler, because there has been a clear drop-off in the secondary with Toler out. It’s bad news that his groin injury will once again hold him out of a game, and hopefully they don’t make Ryan Fitzpatrick look even better than they made Kellen Clemens look in last week’s loss to the St. Louis Rams. Toler has seven passes defended in seven games for the Colts, so it’s obviously not like he’s bereft of any ball skills himself either; Toler is a good corner in this league and has been one of the more underrated non-season-threatening recent injuries to a contender in recent weeks.

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