The Indianapolis Colts entered the preseason hoping to build momentum, but Thursday night's exhibition against the New England Patriots ended on a sour note. Special teams coordinator Brian Mason was struck by two players on the final play of the fourth quarter, leaving him writhing on the turf in obvious pain.
The collision happened as Mason stood along the sideline, watching the game's last snap unfold. A Colts defender and a Patriots offensive player both crashed into him at full speed, catching the coach completely off guard. The impact was severe enough that Mason remained down, and medical staff rushed to his side.
Head coach Shane Steichen delivered the initial update after the game, telling reporters, "He got rolled up right on the sideline that last play. So we'll see. He's getting evaluated for his knee right now."
Unfortunately, the news has only gotten worse. According to Joel A. Erickson of IndyStar, the belief is that Mason has suffered multiple torn ligaments in his knee. That kind of injury typically requires surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation, though the Colts have not yet confirmed the full extent of the damage or a timeline for his return.
The timing could not be worse for Indianapolis. With Week 1 less than a month away, Mason is now racing against the clock to be ready for the regular season. His unit, which has been a work in progress under his guidance since he joined the team in 2023, will face uncertainty if he's forced to miss games.
This isn't the first time an NFL coach has been taken down by a sideline collision. Back in 2011, then-New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton tore his MCL when tight end Jimmy Graham accidentally plowed into him during a game. Payton later described the incident to the Times-Picayune: "It's one of those things, the play kind of got up on me quicker. I think the second part of the tackle seemed maybe all of a sudden. … At first I just thought I went down and hurt my knee then when I tried to get up I clearly felt something was up with it."
Mason's injury adds to a growing list of preseason concerns across the league. Just this week, a 49ers quarterback was hospitalized after a scary debut, and WNBA fans are fearing the worst for Cameron Brink after her latest setback. Even the Colts' own preseason has been eventful, with a brawl breaking out during a joint practice with the Patriots earlier in the week.
For Mason, the road to recovery will be long, but he can take solace in the fact that many coaches have overcome similar setbacks. The Colts will provide further updates as more information becomes available, but for now, the focus is on getting their special teams coordinator back on his feet.
"It's one of those unfortunate things that happen in football," Steichen said. "We'll support him however we can."
As the Colts prepare for their next preseason matchup, they'll do so with a depleted coaching staff and a renewed appreciation for the dangers that lurk on the sideline.
