"The Indianapolis Colts lost more than a Pro Bowl tight end Friday, when the team announced Dallas Clark will undergo wrist surgery to repair a displaced tendon next week and be placed on injured reserve. They lost a singularly versatile and effective one.

Only two tight ends in NFL history have caught 100 passes in a season. Clark did it last season when he had 100 receptions for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns.

He had so hoped to avoid having this injury end his season, he consulted three specialists before accepting the prescribed course of treatment.

"All three have helped me and my family out tremendously during this process," he said in a statement. "I look forward to supporting my teammates the rest of this season and rehabilitating my wrist back to full strength for next season."

Colts players scattered for the bye week Thursday and coaches weren't available Friday, but quarterback Peyton Manning touched on Clark's unique versatility in the locker room last week.

"For us, Dallas pass-protects like a right tackle, and he's also a threat to go down the middle of the field," Manning said. "You've seen Dallas in the backfield for us or lining up at wide receiver . . .

"You have to find the guy who can do that, where if (a defender) slips just a little bit, if he bites on a fake just a little bit, it's not just going to cost them a 10-yard completion, it might cost an 80-yard touchdown.""