Cam Johnson Injury: Updates on Colts LB's Elbow Strain and Return

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Cam Johnson left Sunday night's Week 1 showdown against the Denver Broncos with an elbow injury.

Mike Wells of ESPN provided the latest on Johnson's condition:

Pro Football Focus' Nathan Jahnke outlined the ramifications for the Colts' linebacker corps:

Johnson was originally a 2012 seventh-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers, and he has now caught on with another top-tier organization that's had immense success in recent years. Unfortunately, he and Indianapolis drew a tough assignment against legendary quarterback Peyton Manning and the Broncos' explosive offense.

The Colts already lack depth on the front seven, and on the team's official depth chart, Johnson is listed behind 2013 first-round pick Bjoern Werner at outside linebacker.

In the first half of Sunday's contest, Werner was being worked by star left tackle Ryan Clady, unable to pressure Manning, contributing to the cause of Denver's big early lead.

Colts general manager Ryan Grigson commented on Werner in the offseason, via Wells:

"

I think he knows what's at stake. I think you see it just in the way he's playing right now, just the way he's getting off the ball, the way his body looks, what he did in this offseason. He was a constant that was here every second. He was like a wall flower. He was here every time you turned around.

"

Bleacher Report's Matt Miller has faith in Johnson:

If Indianapolis is meant to return to the playoffs for a third straight year, its defense needs to step up. All the players available that can help are vital, so Johnson's injury looms large with this particular team. Andrew Luck cannot be counted on to bail the Colts out and lead them on comebacks so often, because it's not a sustainable model for consistent results.

It appears that Johnson's injury isn't too severe, and the sooner he gets back, the better it will be for Indianapolis' defense in the long run.