INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Colts starting cornerback Greg Toler and the player who started in his place in Week 1, Darius Butler, have been ruled out for Monday's game against the New York Jets, Colts coach Chuck Pagano said.
Toler has been out since injuring his neck in a preseason game against the Chicago Bears on Aug. 22. Butler suffered a hip injury in the first half against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1.
Toler's and Butler's injuries and rookie D'Joun Smith going on injured reserve/designated to return leaves the Colts very thin in the secondary. Sheldon Price, who played in his first regular-season NFL game in Week 1, and Jalil Brown will be the second and third cornerbacks -- not necessarily in that order -- against the Jets. The Colts elevated cornerback Eric Patterson from the practice squad Friday.
"We tell them all, prepare like starters," Pagano said. "When this moment happens it's a great opportunity. A lot of guys get found having opportunities like this. That's what we tell them all the time. They're going to play, and they're going to play well. They have to."
