Colts have slim playoff chance

After a much-needed bye week, the Augusta Colts return to action tonight with a home game against the Carolina Speed.

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With the Colts on the brink of postseason elimination and losers of four of their past five games, the extra week of rest has paid off, said head coach Bubba Diggs.

"It was perfect timing," he said. "We had so many guys banged up who needed some time off. Our linemen needed to get their legs back under them."

The Colts took last week off and returned for three full days of practice this week. Diggs said he could tell the difference in his players.

"I could see they regained their energy level," he said. "It's been the best week of enthusiasm and intensity all season. They came back focused."

One player did not make it back despite the time off. Colts franchise player Marvin Stone, who has missed almost half of the season with an injured knee, won't return to action. The star wide receiver had planned to return after the bye week, but Diggs said it was still too much of a risk.

"It's a wrap for Marvin. I wouldn't have been comfortable with him out there trying to cut," he said. "We didn't want to risk any serious damage, and I just told him to go do what he's got to do medically. He's still with us. He's been a real trooper, and a big help on the sideline."

Even without Stone, the Colts have managed 40 passing touchdowns, good for sixth in the 16-team American Indoor Football Association. Diggs said that offense will need to be productive again against Carolina.

"Our offensive production has been down the last few games, and that has got to change," he said. "In a game like this, I expect to be scored on. You end up trading scores, and we have to score touchdowns."

The Colts could guarantee at least a .500 season with a win, but they'll need more than that to keep their playoff hopes alive. They sit two games out of second place in the South Division.

Mathematically, the Colts still have a shot at catching the Columbus Lions for second place and a playoff bid, but with only three regular-season games remaining, it would require the Colts to win out and Columbus (8-3) to lose its remaining games.

Reach Billy Byler at (706) 823-3216 or billy.byler@augustachronicle.com.