The Colts will be without one of their reserve offensive tackles in the AFC title game.
Second-year pro Xavier Nixon has been declared out of Sunday’s game at New England after missing the club’s flight east, Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star and Mike Wells of ESPN.com reported Saturday evening.
The 24-year-old Nixon appeared in four regular season games for Indianapolis, making one start at right tackle. However, while Nixon is listed as the top backup at right and left tackle, he was inactive for the Colts’ first two postseason games.
Earlier Saturday, the Colts’ website announced reserve tailback Trent Richardson had not made the trip to New England for “personal reasons.” Richardson, like Nixon, was inactive for last Sunday’s divisional-playoff win at Denver.
The Colts will also be without reserve linebacker Josh McNary, who is on the NFL’s Exempt–Commissioner Permission List after being charged with rape. McNary played against Denver, logging 22 snaps on special teams. The Colts were able to fill McNary’s roster spot.