Malik Hooker Could Miss ‘A Few Weeks’ With Knee Injury

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INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich said today that safety Malik Hooker could miss “a few weeks” after suffering a knee injury in Sunday’s Week 3 home victory over the Atlanta Falcons.


Reich said Hooker was eventually able to return to the game, but reported feeling more “discomfort” in his knee after the Colts wrapped up their 27-24 victory.


“And just digging down into it a little bit more it looks like he’s going to miss a little bit of time,” the second-year head coach said in his weekly conference call with reporters.


Asked if the team has explored the possibility of placing Hooker on injured reserve — which would keep him out a minimum of eight weeks if the Colts were to use one of its two return-from-IR spot on the safety — Reich said “we haven’t discussed that at this point.”


With Hooker now working his way back, the Colts will rely on rookie Khari Willis to step in at the free safety spot. Willis — the Colts’ fourth-round (109th-overall) selection in this year’s NFL Draft out of Michigan State — has impressed through three games so far; his 12 total tackles ranks fifth on the team.


“Khari’s been getting plenty of play time, but now with Malik being out for a little bit, Khari, obviously, his role is going to significantly increase,” Reich said. “And every indication we have from Khari is this guy, he’s a ballplayer, and he’s ready for this opportunity.”


Others at the safety position that could see added playing time include Rolan Milligan and George Odum.