National Football League

Reports: Colts DE Robert Mathis tears Achilles during suspension

Published Sep. 8, 2014 3:11 p.m. ET

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The Indianapolis Colts were eager for defensive end Robert Mathis' return after he served his four-game suspension. Instead, the team will have to wait much longer, according to multiple reports.

Mathis suffered a torn Achilles last week while working out in Atlanta, Pro Football Talk first reported.

Mathis, whose four-game suspension stemmed from violating the league's PED policy, led the league in with 19.5 sacks a season ago.

But Mathis was missed in Sunday night's opening 31-24 loss at Denver, as Indy struggled to consistently pressure Peyton Manning and wound up with only one sack, and Bjoern Werner, Mathis' replacement as the rush linebacker, had three tackles but no quarterback pressures.  

Mathis hounded Manning last year with two of the season-high four sacks Manning endured.

A person with knowledge of the injury told The Associated Press on Monday that Mathis tore the tendon, which would keep him out the entire season. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has not confirmed the diagnosis.

A few hours later, coach Chuck Pagano said he would not speculate on the severity of the injury or how much time Mathis could miss until team doctors examine Mathis on Tuesday. But it sure didn't sound promising.

''We knew we were going to be without Robert for the first four games, but this is really a devastating blow for Robert and his family and this organization,'' Pagano said. ''This one stings.''

The injury occurred while Mathis was away from the team, serving his suspension. League rules prohibit Mathis from working out at the team complex or communicating with those inside the organization during his absence, so the Colts sent Mathis home with a workout regimen.

On Monday, Mathis contacted head trainer Dave Hammer to inform the team that he had injured the Achilles and already had been seen by one doctor.

Pagano said league rules do allow suspended players to contact their team if they are injured.

Mathis' teammates were told of the injury during Monday's team meeting and the news hit hard.

''He's a pillar guy,'' inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman said with uncharacteristic somberness. ''He's definitely a leader and I hope he'll be on the sideline coaching when he gets back.''

It's also another twist in what already had been a tumultuous season for the Colts' career sacks leader.

In May, NFL officials announced Mathis would be suspended for the first four regular-season games after violating the league's performance-enhancing substance policy.

Mathis claimed he was taking a fertility drug, Clomid, so he and his wife could have another child. But the drug is on the league's banned list because it can be used as a masking agent for PEDs.

Mathis grudgingly accepted his fate after his appeals were denied.

Critics contended that the substance explained Mathis' sudden statistical surge last season, when at the age of 32 he set a single-season franchise record with 19 1/2 sacks and won his first NFL sacks crown. Mathis argued he was more comfortable playing his new position, outside linebacker, after converting from defensive end in 2012.

And he was motivated to perform even better. Some thought his numbers would drop significantly after longtime friend Dwight Freeney signed with San Diego.

At training camp, the 6-foot-2, 245-pound Mathis was frequently seen playing with his newborn daughter following practice, and even though Pagano acknowledged the Colts needed Mathis to get some work before the suspension, Indianapolis held him out of all four preseason games.

Before departing the team complex Aug. 30, Mathis left an inspirational note in his locker urging players and coaches not to take the game they love for granted. Defensive end Cory Redding explained it was simply ''Robert being Robert,'' a message that resonated throughout the team.

''I don't want to talk about another man's injury issues, medical issues, but, I do know I love Robert,'' Andrew Luck said. ''He doesn't know how much he has meant to me as a rookie, second-year guy, offseason, everything.

''What he's done for this organization, what he will continue to do for this organization I know is going to be special.''

So the Colts (0-1) must now figure out how to cope without their best pass rusher.

A year ago, Mathis' teammates combined for 22 1/2 sacks.

On Sunday night at Denver, it was obvious how much Indianapolis missed Mathis.

''You can't replace a guy like Robert,'' inside linebacker D'Qwell Jackson said. ''But we trust our guys, we trust the guys next to us.''

Mathis is the second Indy player to sustain an Achilles tendon injury this season, joining running back Vick Ballard who is already on injured reserve after tearing his left Achilles in late July.

Indy already has 10 players on injured reserve, including offensive lineman Xavier Nixon, who was designated for a possible return later this season.

''It's a tough, tough pill to swallow and they're just absorbing it right now, the shock of it all,'' Pagano said. ''Like Reggie (Wayne), I know he'll get through it with whatever he has to do and he'll be back.''

Notes: Wayne had nine catches for 98 yards in his first game back after tearing the ACL in his right knee. ... Freeman (hamstring, thumb) said he felt fine Monday and expected to play next week. ... Luck blamed himself for calling a quarterback sneak on fourth-and-goal, which resulted in a Denver stop. Luck called it ''stupid'' decision.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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