The Indianapolis Colts escaped a major scare following their season opener as wide receiver T.Y. Hilton did not suffer a significant injury but only a bruised knee, although it is uncertain when he will be back on the field.
Hilton sustained the minor injury in the third quarter of their 27–14 loss to the Buffalo Bills to begin the 2015 season.
Despite getting hurt, Hilton decided to stay and continued for a number of plays until he was forced to leave the game.
The Colts feared that the 25-year-old may have suffered a structural damage in his knee; but after undergoing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the results came back negative. According to head coach Chuck Pagano, he is day-to-day.
"Touched my knee [Sunday] and it was really numb. I felt a lot of swelling. It blew up on me real fast. Just hurting, sore to the touch," Hilton said, according to ESPN.
The Pro Bowler added, "I should be all right. I feel better, actually a lot better. Going on, like, my fourth treatment right now. Haven't felt that [before], so it was really scary."
If he recovers quickly, Hilton may join the Colts when they play the New York Jets on Monday, Sept. 21, for their Week 2 game, which he would not want to miss because of the Jets' great defense.
The Jets did play well in their Week 1 matchup against the Cleveland Browns whom they dispatched, 31–10.
Once Hilton returns to a hundred percent, the Colts will again have one of their best offensive threats.
Last season, when he was named to his first Pro Bowl, Hilton had 82 receptions for a career-high 1,345 yards and also tied a career-best seven touchdowns.
If Hilton would not be able to play against the Jets, wide receiver Donte Moncrief is the strongest candidate to replace him as a starter, according to ESPN.
