When the Indianapolis Colts take the field to face the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, they'll do without two of their top players.
On Friday, Colts head coach Frank Reich announced that starting left tackle Anthony Castonzo and star linebacker Darius Leonard would miss the team's Week 5 matchup in Cleveland after suffering rib and groin injuries, respectively, in Indianapolis' Week 4 win over the Chicago Bears.
The absence of Castonzo and Leonard could loom large in a matchup between two 3-1 teams. In Castonzo's place, Le'Raven Clark will start at left tackle for the Colts and be tasked with slowing down Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, who leads the NFL with five sacks and has tallied three strip-sacks in each of the past three weeks.
Meanwhile, Leonard -- the 2018 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and a 2-time All-Pro selection -- would have played a pivotal role in helping slow down a Browns rushing attack that ranks first in the NFL with 204.5 yards per game through four weeks. Entering Sunday, Indianapolis leads the NFL in average yards allowed (236.3) and points (14.0).
Earlier this week, Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski downplayed the Colts' looming injuries at the linebacker position.
“I do not think their scheme will change one bit, whether they have those guys or not," Stefanski said. "We expect them to have those guys. They run a very, very sound scheme. They let their guys run. I do not think it is going to change what they do it. They just go plug-and-play the next guy, and I promise you, he will be playing like his hair is on fire.”
Meanwhile, the Browns will be without two key players of their own on Sunday with defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (abdomen) and cornerback Greedy Williams (shoulder) having already been ruled out against the Colts.