It's easy to forget the importance of a kicker until you don't have one.
The greatest example might have come in 2024, when the New York Giants lost Graham Gano to injury and lost to the Washington Commanders despite scoring three touchdowns and holding Washington out of the end zone.
The Indianapolis Colts might fear a similar scenario after seeing kicker Spencer Shrader go down with an injury that could have major ramifications in Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Here's what you need to know about Shrader's status and the Colts' kicking situation against the Raiders.
NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule
Spencer Shrader injury update
Shrader was down on the field for an extended period after being hit on an extra point in the second quarter on Sunday.
The Colts quickly announced Shrader was ruled out for the game with a knee injury. Shrader appeared to grab near his shin immediately after going down and had to be helped back to the locker room after being tended to on the field.
Former NFL team doctor David Chao speculated the injury could be an MCL issue, which would prevent Shrader from returning. The Colts confirmed shortly after that Shrader would not return.
#SpencerShrader @Colts
— David J. Chao - ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) October 5, 2025
Right knee injury
Likely MCL
No way to kick with that injury@Raiders punter to locker room too pic.twitter.com/7qy4U2XaoV
Earlier in the game, the Raiders saw punter A.J. Cole go down after being hit on a blocked punt. Cole was carted back to the locker room.
MORE: How long is Brock Bowers out for Raiders?
Who is the Colts' kicker?
Like most teams, the Colts do not have two active kickers on their roster. That means they will be without a kicker for the remainder of the game.
Punter Rigoberto Sanchez would likely be the closest the Colts have to a kicker and was seen warming up by kicking into the net on the sideline after Shrader went down.
Rigoberto Sanchez is warming up kicking FGs on the sideline
— Destin Adams (@TheDestinAdams) October 5, 2025
Sanchez handled kickoff duties after Shrader was helped off, but what kind of range he might have could impact the Colts' fourth down and extra point strategies in the second half of Sunday's game.
MORE: Who is replacing Mark Sanchez on Colts-Raiders broadcast?