Colts QB Jacoby Brissett Sidelined By Knee Injury vs. Steelers

Hit by his own lineman in the second quarter, Brissett unable to return in second half of 26-24 road loss at Pittsburgh.

Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett suffered a leg injury in the second quarter of Sunday’s game at Pittsburgh and didn't return.

Head coach Frank Reich said after the 26-24 road loss that Brissett suffered a sprained knee.

Brissett had just unloaded an incomplete pass when he was hit by his own lineman, All-Pro offensive guard Quenton Nelson, who was pushed back by the Steelers’ Cameron Heyward. Nelson backed into Brissett’s left leg and ankle and the quarterback painfully dropped to the Heinz Field grass, writhing in pain.

After walking off the field, Brissett spent two extended stints in the medical tent and was seen flexing his leg and trying to stretch it out. At one point, he put on his helmet and was at the edge of the sideline, looking like a player ready to return.

Veteran backup Brian Hoyer, signed in September, entered and threw a touchdown pass to tight end Jack Doyle to give the Colts a 10-3 lead. As Brissett continued to watch, Hoyer provided good and bad.

Hoyer was looking for Doyle near the end zone again when his ill-advised pass into traffic was intercepted by safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, whose 96-yard touchdown return tied the game at 10.

Back came Hoyer, who drove the Colts to another touchdown drive as he connected with Zach Pascal on a 14-yard score. The Colts led 16-10, but kicker Adam Vinatieri’s low extra-point try was blocked.

As the first half was winding down, Brissett exited to the locker room early. The Steelers added a field goal on the final play of the half to cut the deficit to 16-13.

Brissett became the Colts’ starter in August when Andrew Luck unexpectedly retired. He’s played well in leading the Colts to first place in the AFC South Division.

But Sunday's loss, the Colts' sixth straight to the Steelers, drops them to 5-3 and in second place in the division behind the Houston Texans (6-3).