The NFL was set to return Sunday night with the Hall of Fame Game featuring the Green Bay Packers and the Indianapolis Colts. But the contest in Canton, Ohio was instead canceled due to poor field conditions.
Packers vs. Colts 2016 live stream: How to watch the Hall of Fame Game online
The game was canceled due to poor field conditions.
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Jeanna Kelley has been covering the Falcons for The Falcoholic since 2011 and the NFL for SB Nation since 2015.
While teams are generally wary of giving starters too much playing time in preseason action because of the need to avoid injuries in meaningless games, Colts head coach Chuck Pagano said earlier in the week that he will play all of his starters, including quarterback Andrew Luck. Pagano still left a little room to change his mind about that, though.
Perhaps this would have given the Colts a competitive advantage, considering that Andrew Luck likes to win. As a matter of fact, he recently told The MMQB that his favorite word is “win.”
After inking a new deal with the Colts that made him the highest-paid quarterback in the league, Indianapolis is surely hoping that Sunday’s game is the start of a comeback season for Luck.
The team will, however, be without first-round draft pick Ryan Kelly. Pagano ruled out the rookie center due to a shoulder strain.
For the Packers, Aaron Rodgers was unlikely to take the field on Sunday after being held out of Thursday’s practice. Green Bay’s backup, Brett Hundley, also missed Thursday’s practice with an ankle injury, so the Packers may have had to face the Colts’ starters with either Joe Callahan or Marquise Williams — both of whom are undrafted free agent rookies — under center.
Rodgers was given the night off from practice to rest, and not because of any type of injury, meaning he could play if the Packers so choose. Rodgers doesn’t typically see a great deal of preseason action, so it won’t be surprising if Green Bay opts to keep him sidelined.
If the Packers get desperate, perhaps Brett Favre could pull the Packers jersey (not the Vikings one, obviously) from his locker in the Hall of Fame and suit up for Green Bay. Fans surely wouldn’t have minded getting one more glimpse of the ol’ gunslinger following his induction into the Hall of Fame Saturday evening.
A few facts about Sunday’s game:
- This would have marked the first occasion the new Monday Night Football announcing team will call a game together. Jon Gruden and sideline reporter Lisa Salters will welcome Sean McDonough as the play-by-play guy.
- Both teams have representatives being inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday. For the Packers, it’s Favre. The Colts will see former head coach Tony Dungy and wide receiver Marvin Harrison honored Saturday evening.
- It is the fifth Hall of Fame game appearance for each team. The Colts are 2-2 all time, and the Packers are 1-2-1.
- Green Bay's singular tie in the Hall of Fame game came against the San Diego Chargers in 1980, and neither team scored. The game was tied 0-0 with about six minutes remaining when referees called the game due to inclement weather.
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