Mike Chappell

mike.chappell@indystar.com

Saints at Colts%2C 8 p.m. Saturday%2C WISH-8

Defensive lineman Montori Hughes is on extended leave from the Indianapolis Colts following the recent passing of his infant daughter.

Coach Chuck Pagano announced Thursday that Maveah Alice Hughes, the 3-month-old daughter of Hughes and girlfriend Leigh Burton, died last week.

Hughes brought Maveah to training camp at Anderson University earlier this month and she "was perfectly fine,'' Pagano said. "She became ill and they lost their child.

"I can't imagine. No parent should have to bury a child. We all go through circumstances. This is an extremely, extremely difficult time for Montori and his family. But we've got his back and we'll get through this thing as a family like we get through anything.''

Hughes was a 2013 fifth-round draft pick of the Colts who appeared in four games as a rookie. He finished with seven tackles.

This year, Hughes has been working as Josh Chapman's backup at nose tackle.

Colts offer assistance

USA Football's Heads Up Football program will be made available to Indiana's high school football coaches in 2015 through financial assistance from the Colts. It marks the first time an NFL team has offered to scholarship coaches at every football-playing school within an entire state. That's 327 schools in Indiana.

Also, prior to Saturday night's game with the Saints the team will donate more than 1,000 game tickets to local youth organizations, present 10 high school and youth football teams each a $1,000 Jim Irsay Equipment Grant and feature youth football scrimmages during halftime.

Call Star reporter Mike Chappell at (317) 444-6830. You can follow him on Twitter at @mchappell51.

Saints at Colts, 8 p.m. Saturday, WISH-8