While the Indianapolis Colts (5-2) were jubilant over being able to spoil Peyton Manning's return to Lucas Oil Stadium by handing the Denver Broncos (6-1) their first defeat of the season by a 39-33 margin Sunday night, it wasn't without its casualties as wide receiver Reggie Wayne left the game in tears after twisting his knee, and it's now reported that the veteran tore his ACL and will miss the remainder of the season.
With just over seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, Wayne twisted his knee while lunging for a pass from second-year quarterback Andrew Luck on a third-and-1 play. Wayne was wide open on the play as Luck targeted him, but he was not able to complete the play because he hurt his knee while lunging after the ball.
Wayne stumbled to the ground in pain and clutched his right knee before exiting the game. Luck took the blame for the injury, siting that his throw could have been better.
"It was my fault," Luck said per CBS Sports before the diagnosis of an ACL tear was known. "Terrible throw. We know he's a fighter. We're hoping for the best."
NBC Sports reported that Wayne had tears in his eyes as he left the field in agony, and MRIs on Monday showed that it was a torn ACL and Wayne's season is over as the first place Colts look to keep a dominant hold on the AFC South division without their star receiver.
Wayne hasn't missed a game since his rookie year in 2001, but with the news of him being lost for the season, his streak of 189 games played in a row will be snapped when the Colts take the field without him for the first time in over a decade Sunday in Houston against the struggling Texans (2-5). Wayne's streak is the longest among active players.
Wayne had five catches for 50 yards in Indianapolis' eventual triumph, but his season was cut short with the injury.
Luck was able to out-duel Manning, while going 21-for-38 for 228 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions while being sacked twice. Manning went 29-of-49 for 386 yards and he also threw for three scores while being picked once and sacked four times.
On the season, Wayne gained 503 yards on 38 receptions while reaching the end zone twice.
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