The Colts might be without their kicker for Week 1. Veteran Matt Gay told reporters that he underwent hernia surgery and is uncertain if he’ll suit up on Sunday, per Mike Chappell of FOX59/CBS4 Sports.
Gay revealed that he first started experiencing pain last weekend. After getting the injury checked out, it was determined the kicker would have to go under the knife. Fortunately, it should be a relatively quick turnaround time, but Gay could still miss this weekend’s matchup with the Texans.
Following a successful three-year stint with the Rams, Gay signed a four-year, $22.5MM contract with the Colts last offseason. He wasn’t as efficient during his first season in Indy, converting only 80.5 percent of his field goal attempts, his worst showing since his rookie campaign. Gay notably connected on a single-game record four 50-plus-yard field goals during a September game, and he converted 35 of 36 extra point tries throughout the campaign.
The Colts prepared for Gay’s potential Week 1 absence by adding kicker Spencer Shrader to the practice squad. The rookie caught on with the Colts earlier this offseason after going undrafted out of Notre Dame. Shrader made 15 of his 22 field goal attempts and 61 of his 62 XP tries last season. In his four previous seasons at South Florida, he connected on 68.3 percent of his FGA and 99 percent of his XPA.