INDIANAPOLIS — Rigoberto Sanchez will miss an unspecified period of time to have a cancerous tumor eliminated, the Colts punter introduced on Instagram Monday.
“So grateful to be surrounded by docs that helped me catch the cancerous tumor earlier than it unfold throughout my physique,” Sanchez wrote on Instagram. “… Sadly, there are issues you may’t management in life and that is certainly one of them. No plans or preparations would have gotten me prepared for this sort of adversity, however like I informed my spouse, we will not flinch. … Makes me sick that I am going to must miss a while taking part in beside my brothers, however I do know they are going to maintain it down.”
Issues about Sanchez’s well being emerged after he did not deal with his regular kickoff duties in Sunday’s loss to Tennessee. Kicker Rodrigo Blankenship kicked off, whereas Sanchez solely punted towards the Titans.
Colts coach Frank Reich was obscure when requested about Sanchez’s well being following the sport. “Rigo is coping with a bodily challenge that we have now to get additional evaluated,” Reich mentioned Sunday. “I give Rigo a number of credit score for the best way he punted [Sunday] and for actually coming via for us after we wanted him the best way that he did. Then Rod, when Rigo wasn’t capable of kick off, Rod stepped in there and did an awesome job.”
Reich is scheduled to have his traditional day-after media name at 4 p.m. ET on Monday.
The Colts should signal a punter to switch Sanchez, who’s averaging 47.2 yards per punt and has landed 15 punts contained in the 20-yard line this season.
Sanchez’s state of affairs is simply the newest well being challenge the Colts (7-4) have needed to cope with. Left sort out Anthony Castonzo had an MRI on his knee Monday morning to verify whether or not he has an MCL damage after he left the sport early within the second quarter Sunday.
Beginning heart Ryan Kelly (neck), linebacker Bobby Okereke (ankle), working again Jonathan Taylor (COVID-19) and defensive linemen DeForest Buckner (COVID-19) and Denico Autry (COVID-19) all missed the sport towards the Titans.
