Darius

Butler

“I’m disappointed. He was feeling better the other day and we thought he might have turned the corner,” coach Ron Rivera said. “Unfortunately, he didn’t feel well today. So we’ll continue to follow protocol. We’ll see how it goes.” Former Patriots second-rounder Darius Butler will start if Gamble can’t go.

Ron Rivera said Friday that he called Butler and told him he needs to stay with his family, so it’s unlikely he plays in Week 8. Butler’s infant daughter recently underwent heart surgery and reportedly had a setback but is doing well. After being claimed off waivers from New England in September he’s maintained nickel/slot duties for the Panthers this season. Josh Thomas and R.J. Stanford will be promoted in his absence.

A second-round pick of the Patriots in 2009, Butler started six games last season, but struggled mightily in coverage. Butler hasn’t notched a pick since his rookie year, but should eventually crack a roster as a special teamer/reserve slot corner.

Butler was a second-round pick in 2009 that flamed out in New England and was later cut by the Panthers. Now he’s thriving in Indy. “That’s the whole beauty of the mantra ‘next man up.’ Don’t give it up, once you get it,” interim coach Bruce Arians said. "(GM) Ryan (Grigson) gave (Butler) an opportunity to reclaim a career and he’s making the best of it.” Butler had two interceptions and returned one of them for a touchdown in last Thursday’s win over the Jags.

The Colts head into their bye really thin in the secondary as Vontae Davis (ankle) and Justin King (groin) are both week to week. They’ll need all the corners they can get with Aaron Rodgers and the Packers on the schedule Week 5. Butler has been on the street since getting cut by the Panthers just before Week 1.

Darius Butler will start opposite Captain Munnerlyn in Gamble’s place. Gamble will most likely return in Week 5.

The Indianapolis Star reported Friday the Colts hoped to bring back Powers, who was benched for Butler before landing on injured reserve with a toe injury. Butler would presumably be in the mix for a starting job, but it wouldn’t be handed to him.

The 26-year-old onetime second-round bust resurrected his career in Indianapolis last season, recording four interceptions as the slot corner between Vontae Davis and Jerraud Powers. The Colts now have a formidable top-three cornerback trio with Greg Toler and Davis on the outside, and Butler covering slot receivers. Indy could still afford to add a safety, upgrading on Tom Zbikowski.

A report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter suggested the sides agreed to separate, but the team has not ruled out re-signing the 35-year-old down the road. Though Springs still matches up well with physical receivers, he was shuffled in and out of the lineup last season. First-rounder Devin McCourty will battle Darius Butler, Terrence Wheatley, and Jonathan Wilhite for the starting job opposite Leigh Bodden.

“He’s got great versatility,” DC Ted Monachino said. “The safety position requires a little more communication than either the nickel or the corner position and he is a pro at that.” Butler has been the Colts’ primary No. 3 cornerback over the past three seasons, but wasn’t effective in 2015. Spending more time at safety would create an opening for 2015 third-rounder D’Joun Smith.