INDIANAPOLIS – It's a level of frustration that has Robert Mathis in a place he's not used to in 13 NFL seasons.
Mathis has been shut out of the sack department in the first five games of 2016.
That was the theme from Mathis meeting the media on Friday afternoon.
Along with Mathis talking on Friday, the Colts have a pretty good idea of who they will have on the field when Sunday Night Football greets them this week in Houston.
Here's the Friday notebook after the team's final practice of the week:
INJURY STATUS FOR WEEK SIX
- OUT: OG/C-Jonotthan Harrison (appendectomy): Harrison had an emergency appendectomy two weeks ago. This will be Harrison's third straight game missed.
- OUT: DT-Zach Kerr (ankle): Pagano has listed Kerr at "week-to-week." Kerr never left Sunday's win over the Bears, but the ankle injury came up in the days following.
- OUT: WR-Donte Moncrief (shoulder): The original diagnosis for Moncrief had him missing four-to-six weeks with a fractured scapula. This is his fourth consecutive game missed.
- QUESTIONABLE: CB-Darius Butler (hand): A fractured finger for Butler ended up keeping him out of practice all week long. Butler was upgraded from OUT to questionable on Friday afternoon.
QUESTIONABLE: WR/KR-Quan Bray (shin): Bray did not practice all week. If Bray can't go on Sunday, the Colts will likely have Devin Street active on game day for the first time all season. Rookies Josh Ferguson and Chester Rogers did some returning during the preseason.
QUESTIONABLE: T.Y. Hilton (hip): Hilton was a full participant on Friday and will be good to go for Sunday.
QUESTIONABLE: CB-Patrick Robinson (knee, groin): Robinson was limited at practice on Friday, his first work of the week. Has Robinson gotten enough work this week to play a position where any sort of injury is often exposed?
Robert Mathis on no sacks through the first five weeks:
"I'm not getting to the quarterback and I have to start getting to the quarterback."
Bowen's Analysis: One of the most surprising developments in 2016 has been Mathis recording no sacks after five weeks. In Training Camp, Mathis said he felt like his 2013-self. But a Week One toe injury this season has slowed down the franchise's all-time leading sacker.
Mathis' wife and "brother" Dwight Freeney have provided plenty of encouragement for No. 98 through the early season struggles. It's a five-game drought that Mathis isn't used to very often in his 13 NFL seasons. Mathis was honest on Friday in saying that he knows "father time is undefeated." Mathis believes the sacks will come for him and that his health is improving week-by-week. Ramped up pressure from Mathis would be a needed boost for a Colts defense seeking out more disruption from their front.Chuck Pagano on Patrick Robinson's availability this week:
"He (practiced) today and did individual. He did a few reps, limited. He will be game time."
Bowen's Analysis: It's not often guys don't practice Wednesday/Thursday, are limited Friday and still play in the game on Sunday. But the Colts hope Robinson can make that jump over the next 48 hours.
Remember, on Thursday, the Colts brought rookie cornerback Frankie Williams up from the practice squad. Pagano says Williams will have a "significant role" on Sunday. With Robinson, any little injury could impact a position that is so vulnerable to guys not playing at 100 percent. If Robinson isn't deemed healthy to go, Rashaan Melvin is a definite option as an outside cornerback (opposite Vontae Davis). Darryl Morris is a cornerback who can fill Darius Butler's normal nickel position. Butler is questionable, but he did not practice all week.
Chuck Pagano on Arthur Jones playing on Sunday, with Zach Kerr out:
"I thought (Jones) practiced well.
"He has had two good weeks so if there was ever a time for him to be ready to roll, it would be now."
Bowen's Analysis: With Zach Kerr out, expect Henry Anderson to slide into that starting spot. Art Jones also factors into the defensive line depth this week. Remember, Jones hasn't played an NFL game since January 2015.
Pagano spoke on Friday about how the defense needs to improve in how many yards they are allowing on first down. If the Colts can improve on early downs, it will force teams into obvious passing situations on third down. That should help the Colts pass rush looking for more pressure, especially with the cornerback injuries factoring in this week.**
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FRIDAY's INJURY REPORT
Here is Friday's injury report:
-DNP: WR-Quan Bray (shin), CB-Darius Butler (hand), C/G-Jonotthan Harrison (illness), ILB-D'Qwell Jackson (rest), DT-Zach Kerr (ankle), WR-Donte Moncrief (shoulder), OLB-Erik Walden (rest)
-LIMITED: CB-Patrick Robinson (knee & hip)
-FULL: S-Mike Adams (rest), CB-Vontae Davis (rest), RB-Frank Gore (rest), WR-T.Y. Hilton (hip), DE-Kendall Langford (rest), QB-Andrew Luck (right shoulder), OLB-Robert Mathis (rest), ILB-Josh McNary (shoulder), RB-Robert Turbin (shoulder & wrist)
