The Sports Xchange

INDIANAPOLIS — Coach Chuck Pagano will be facing the Carolina Panthers for the first time as Indianapolis head coach and it comes at a time when the Colts are struggling with a 3-4 record after having high hopes coming into the season.

Pagano was asked this week if he had a message for the Colts’ fans, who aren’t pleased with the tem’s record and recent lethargic performances.

“Yeah, they just got to know that it’s unacceptable,” Pagano said. “They got to know that we’re going to do everything within our power to get it fixed and we will get it fixed.

“It’s not what we want to put on the field. That’s not the product that we want to put on the field. We got to be better.”

Indianapolis’ defense has faced more plays (487) than any other NFL team. The Colts defense has been on the field third-most in the league (an average of 32:22).

The Colts offense is averaging only 27:38 in possession time so far this season. That ranks Indianapolis third worst in the league.

“Whether it’s that edge, that sense of urgency that we play with when we are down, we’ve got to come out with that same sense of urgency and play complimentary football,” Pagano said.

“One side may be doing well, but then the other side doesn’t have any success. I don’t know what it is, but we got to get it fixed and we got to get it fixed in a hurry.”

With three more touchdown passes, QB Andrew Luck will have 100 for his NFL career. Luck needs one rushing touchdown to tie Johnny Unitas for the third-most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in franchise history.

–In his last five meetings vs. NFC teams, Luck has passed for 1,338 yards with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions. He has a 97.9 passer in those games.

NOTES: Indianapolis released safety Dewey McDonald and signed wide receiver Quad Bray off the practice squad. Bray will take the place of injured rookie wide receiver Phillip Dorsett (fractured fibula) on the depth chart. McDonald had been signed off Indianapolis’ practice squad last week when the team had two safeties, Mike Adams and Clayton Geathers, out because of injuries. … Center Khaled Holmes (stinger) did not participate in Wednesday’s workout. Holmes’ availability for the Carolina game on Monday night won’t be known until Saturday. He was hurt in the first half of last week’s home game with New Orleans. Center Jontthan Harrison would get the start at center if Khaled Holmes is unable to play. Harrison took over for Holmes in last week’s home loss to New Orleans. The former Florida offensive lineman has experience as both a starter and as a backup. … Safety Clayton Geathers (sprained knee) was able to fully participate in Wednesday’s workout. Geathers was hurt in the first half of last Sunday’s game with New Orleans and did not return. He should be good to go for Monday night’s road game with Carolina. … Safety Mike Adams (hamstring) sat out Wednesday’s workout. Adams did not play against New Orleans last Sunday. He is, however, expected to start against the Carolina Panthers on Monday night.