Pat Angerer of Indianapolis Colts out at least six weeks

Chuck Pagano said this weekend the Indianapolis Colts were "hoping and praying" Pat Angerer's foot injury wasn't too serious.

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An MRI has revealed the Colts' prayers have gone unanswered.

Pagano confirmed Monday that Angerer fractured his foot in the Colts' 38-3 win over the St. Louis Rams on Sunday, according The Indianapolis Star. The injury will require surgery, with Angerer expected to be out at least six weeks.

This is rough news for a Colts defense built around Angerer in its new 3-4 scheme. The Colts were one of the NFL's worst teams against the run last season, and now they could be forced to navigate the early portion of their regular-season schedule without one of the game's top young tacklers.

"He has the respect of all those guys in the huddle," Pagano said. "When you lose your signal-caller, your middle backer for an extended period of time, it means a lot."

The injury waters down a linebacker unit that's already lost A.J. Edds and Scott Lutrus (anterior cruciate ligament) to season-ending knee injuries. Pagano will look at Jerrell Freeman and other in-house options to replace Angerer, but the team could explore free agency as well.

Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @danhanzus.