The Indianapolis Colts lost to the Denver Broncos to finish the NFL’s Sunday slate of NFL action, but the Colts also lost a huge part of their defense.

Colts outside linebacker Robert Mathis is out for the season after tearing his Achilles tendon while working out on his own in Atlanta. Mathis was suspended by the NFL for four games after violating the league’s PED policy by using a fertility drug. Mathis was set to miss the next three games and then return for the defending AFC South champion Colts.

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The 33-year-old Mathis had 19.5 sacks in 2013 and the Colts had given him a four-year, $36 million deal prior to the 2012 season. If the Colts look to put Mathis on the non-football injury list they could collect some of that money back and set the stage for a divorce after this season is over.

Mathis is a five-time Pro Bowler and was entering his second season without Dwight Freeney on the other side of the defense. Mathis has 111 career sacks, which is good for 20th on the NFL’s all-time leader’s list.

2013 first-round pick Bjoern Werner is expected to see most of the time at outside linebacker in Mathis’ absence.

[NBC Sports]

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