Aug 22, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Indianapolis Colts kicker Spencer Shrader (3) kicks a field goal against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Colts elevate K Spencer Shrader with Matt Gay iffy

With kicker Matt Gay questionable, the Indianapolis Colts elevated rookie Spencer Shrader from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday’s home opener against the Houston Texans.

Gay, 30, did not practice this week after undergoing hernia surgery following the Aug. 22 preseason finale.

Gay converted 33 of 41 field goal attempts and 35 of 36 extra points in his first season with the Colts in 2023.

Shrader, 25, is an Indianapolis native who was undrafted out of Notre Dame.

The Colts also elevated cornerback Chris Lammons from the practice squad for Sunday’s game.

Lammons, 28, had six tackles and one pass defensed in four games (one start) for Indianapolis last season.

–Field Level Media

NFL Indianapolis Colts kicker Matt Gay

Colts preparing backup with PK Matt Gay injured

Colts kicker Matt Gay was unavailable for Wednesday’s practice and his status for Sunday is up in the air because of a hernia.

Indianapolis hosts the Houston Texans to start the regular season, but head coach Shane Steichen said it’s too early to determine if Gay can play.

“We’ll see how the week progresses,” Steichen said Wednesday, declining to confirm or deny whether Gay required surgery.

Spencer Shrader replaced Gay in the preseason finale against the Bengals. Gay attempted the first extra point of the game and didn’t return. Steichen said Gay was injured the week after the Cincinnati game.

Gay made 35 of 36 PATs in 2023 and converted on 33 of 41 field-goal attempts. Only three of the misses were inside 50 yards.

Shrader, an undrafted rookie from Notre Dame, is on the practice squad and could be activated Sunday.

Steichen also said wide receiver Josh Downs missed practice Wednesday. Downs injured his ankle in practice Aug. 7.

As a rookie last season, Downs was second on the roster in receptions (68) and receiving yards (771), and he scored two touchdowns primarily working out of the slot.

–Field Level Media

Nov 8, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib (94) celebrates at the end of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 31-26.  Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders DE Carl Nassib becomes first openly gay NFL player

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib announced Monday that he is gay, making him the first active NFL player to acknowledge his homosexuality.

He made his proclamation in a video posted to Instagram.

“I’m at my house here in West Chester, Pennsylvania,” Nassib, 28, said. “I just wanted to take a quick moment to say that I’m gay. I’ve been meaning to do this for a while now but finally feel comfortable enough to get it off my chest. I really have the best life, I’ve got the best family, friends and job a guy can ask for.

“I’m a pretty private person so I hope you guys know that I’m really not doing this for attention. I just think that representation and visibility are so important. I actually hope that like one day, videos like this and the whole coming out process are not necessary, but until then I am gonna do my best and do my part to cultivate a culture that’s accepting that’s compassionate.”

June is Pride Month.

Nassib also announced a $100,000 donation to the Trevor Project, which works to prevent suicides among LGBTQ youth in America.

Entering his sixth NFL season, the 6-foot-7 Nassib was a third-round draft pick in 2016 by the Cleveland Browns. He spent two seasons with the Browns (2016-17), followed by two with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2018-19) before signing a three-year, $25.3 million contract, including nearly $16.8 million in guarantees, with the Raiders in March 2020.

In 73 career games (37 starts), Nassib has 143 tackles (36 for loss), 20.5 sacks, 16 passes defensed, one interception, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Nassib is on track to become the first openly gay player to play in a regular-season game. Defensive end Michael Sam came out as gay in 2014 before the St. Louis Rams drafted him, but he did not make the final roster.

–Field Level Media

Nov 29, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (25) runs the ball against Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Khalil Davis (94) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs’ Clyde Edwards-Helaire questionable vs. Browns

Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is questionable for Sunday’s AFC divisional round playoff game against the Cleveland Browns despite missing practice for the second straight day.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid announced the playing statuses of Edwards-Helaire, wide receiver Sammy Watkins and linebacker Willie Gay on Friday. Watkins (calf) and Gay (ankle) were ruled out of Sunday’s home game.

Edwards-Helaire, who is nursing hip and ankle injuries, missed the final two games of the regular season.

Despite those absences, Edwards-Helaire recorded team-leading totals in carries (181), rushing yards (803) and rushing touchdowns (four). He also had 36 catches for 297 yards and a score since being selected by Kansas City with the 32nd overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Running backs Le’Veon Bell and Darrel Williams would see an increase in snaps should Edwards-Helaire be limited or unable to play against Cleveland.

Bell rushed for 254 yards and two touchdowns in nine games with the Chiefs, while Williams had 169 yards and one score in 16 games.

Demarcus Robinson likely will see more snaps in place of Watkins, who had 37 receptions for 421 yards and two touchdowns this season. Robinson had 45 catches for 466 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games in 2020.

The Browns listed four players as questionable: Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (hamstring/knee), linebacker B.J. Goodson (shoulder), tight end David Njoku (hamstring) and tight end Stephen Carlson (groin).

–Field Level Media