Corey Simon out for season

The Colts announced Thursday that defensive tackle Corey Simon will miss the rest of the season after being put on the NFL Non-Football Illness/Injury list. They did not disclose Simon's illness, except to say it is not related to the knee surgery he underwent in August.

Here is the complete written statement from Colts President Bill Polian:

"Today, we have placed Corey Simon on the NFL Non-Football Illness/Injury list.

In deference to Corey’s privacy and in compliance with federal medical privacy laws, we may not discuss the particulars of Corey’s condition other than to say it is an illness not an injury and is unrelated to the knee surgery he had in August. It is not football-related. Fortunately, we are told it is not life-threatening, but it has severely limited Corey’s ability to condition, practice or play and has been debilitating for him.

We reached this decision reluctantly and only after extensive tests were run by our medical staff and many outside medical specialists, including those at the Mayo Clinic. Fortunately, Corey has shown some improvement in recent days, but none of the medical personnel we consulted believe he can safely return to football in the near future.

Corey now can devote himself to a complete and unhurried recovery. Our fervent hope is he will be ready to return to the field next season.”

The Colts must deal with Simon's loss the way they have with other personnel changes, which is the topic of my column in Friday's paper.