Zak Keefer

zak.keefer@indystar.com

The Indianapolis Colts got good news Wednesday.

Veteran wideout Reggie Wayne, who took a hard fall in Sunday's 27-0 blanking of the Cincinnati Bengals, had an MRI on his bruised left elbow that revealed "nothing of significance," according to head coach Chuck Pagano.

Wayne, Pagano said, will remain day-to-day this week in anticipation of Sundays' game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Wayne appeared on AM-1260's "Query and Shultz" Tuesday and cautioned Colts fans.

"Don't panic," he said. "I'll be fine."

He did not practice Wednesday, but read little into that: Wednesday's are Wayne's customary days off.

While it remains uncertain if he will see the field Sunday, it appears he and the Colts dodged a bullet. The loss of Wayne – which this team experienced for the final ten games last season – would unquestionably leave a sizable hole to fill for the league's most potent offense.

After playing in Pittsburgh Sunday, the Colts will have an extra day of rest and preparation before facing the New York Giants on the road on Monday, Nov. 3. They earn their bye week after that.

If Wayne is sidelined, albeit briefly, the onus shifts to T.Y. Hilton (47 catches for 711 yards and a touchdown) and little-used Hakeem Nicks (17 catches for 141 yards and two touchdowns). There's also rookie Donte Moncrief, who's caught nine passes for 103 yards.

"When he went down (last year), I had to step up to another level," Hilton said Wednesday. "My main thing was: Don't try and replace him, because there's no replacing him."

As for Nicks, a Super Bowl champ with the Giants three seasons back, he's seen his role in the offense diminish drastically in recent weeks. After seven targets each in Week 5 and 6, he wasn't thrown to once by Andrew Luck on Sunday.

If Wayne sits, that'll change.

How does Pagano feel about his depth at wide receiver?

"Great," he said. "A guy like Nicks, who's been on a Super Bowl championship team and caught a lot of passes. (And) we all know what Donte's capable of doing."

But that's a bridge the Colts will cross only if needed. Wayne may very well play.

"As a player, you know your you feel," he said Tuesday. "You just don't want to go out there and hurt the team. If I'm not out there, it means I probably will be hurting the team. I'll do whatever I can to rehab."

Call Star reporter Zak Keefer at (317) 444-6134 and follow him on Twitter: @zkeefer.

