Matt Hasselbeck, after leaving Sunday night's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 13 with a neck injury, will likely start for the Colts against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 14, head coach Chuck Pagano said, via Mike Chappell of CBS4. With Andrew Luck expected to be sidelined until at least Week 15 as he recovers from a lacerated kidney and torn abdominal muscles, Hasselbeck's status for Sunday is welcome news for a Colts squad that has gone 4-1 with Hasselbeck under center.
Colts expect Matt Hasselbeck to start vs. Jaguars
The Colts will look to Hasselbeck to keep their playoff hopes alive against the Jaguars on Sunday.
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Jeanna Kelley has been covering the Falcons for The Falcoholic since 2011 and the NFL for SB Nation since 2015.
Hasselbeck underwent an MRI on Monday and is expected to be back at practice on Wednesday, according to Pagano.
Over five games, Hasselbeck has 1,192 passing yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions. Week 13's 45-10 loss to the Steelers was Hasselbeck's worst game to date. Hasselbeck was 16 of 26 for 169 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Still, until Luck is physically ready to return, Hasselbeck gives the Colts a better chance to keep their AFC South title hopes alive than Charlie Whitehurst.
The Colts are 6-6 on the season and currently hold the top position in the AFC South with a tiebreaker over the 6-6 Texans. With three of Indy's four remaining games against division rivals and Andrew Luck's return timetable uncertain, Week 14 against the Jags looms large for the Colts.
Hasselbeck has played well in Luck’s absence and has kept the Colts in position to win the division. Hasselbeck got his first start for the Colts in Week 5 against the Texans and led the team to a 27-20 victory. Hasselbeck has been under center for four of the team’s six wins this season.
The Colts are targeting Week 15’s game against the Texans for Luck’s return.
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