It was a sight no one on the Indianapolis Colts could bear to see at a position group that could not get any thinner.
Before the Sunday Night Football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Colts cornerback Xavier Rhodes went through his pregame warmup routine, back pedaling and simulating game-like movements. After Rhodes completed his rep, he pulled up, favoring his leg and limping off the field with an injury that seemed likely to keep him out of the game.
In the locker room, Colts coach Frank Reich prepared to play without his top cornerback.
"There was a moment before the game where I thought 'he was down, he’s down, he’s not playing,'" Reich said.