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Colts’ Brian Mason suffers serious knee injury in opener

8/14/2026

44 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Mason Knee Injury

Colts special teams coordinator Brian Mason tore multiple knee ligaments on the final play of the preseason opener Aug 13, 2026.
Coach Shane Steichen said a collision between a Colts player and Patriots player rolled Mason onto the sideline.
Team doctors treated him on the field before he flew back to Indianapolis that night.
The Colts have not set a timeline, leaving senior assistant coach Joe Hastings to assume his duties.

Summary

Colts' Kicking Trio

Blake Grupe missed a 61-yard attempt; Spencer Shrader hit a 61-yard field goal to tie the game.
Colts used three kickers—Shrader (13-of-14), Grupe (11-of-11) and Badgley (10-of-11)—to post a 94.4% rate, second-highest in the NFL.
The Patriots rested most starters, including quarterback Drake Maye, to evaluate the roster.
Anthony Richardson threw 11 of 14 for 145 yards, added a 1-yard rushing TD, resulting in a 13-13 tie with no overtime.

History

Historical Context

In 1970 the NFL merged with the AFL, moving the Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers into the American Football Conference with the ten former AFL clubs, forming two 13-team conferences. That realignment placed the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC, showing roster flexibility. The 2026 knee injury to kicker Brian Mason and the rotation of Spencer Shrader and Blake Grupe echo that flexibility.

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Mason Knee Injury

Colts special teams coordinator Brian Mason tore multiple knee ligaments on the final play of the preseason opener Aug 13, 2026.
Coach Shane Steichen said a collision between a Colts player and Patriots player rolled Mason onto the sideline.
Team doctors treated him on the field before he flew back to Indianapolis that night.
The Colts have not set a timeline, leaving senior assistant coach Joe Hastings to assume his duties.

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