The Indiana Fever were handed tough news Monday after it was announced that Caitlin Clark is expected to miss a minimum of two weeks with a left quad strain. The Fever noted that this is not the same injury that sidelined her for the team's first preseason game.
Though the update is disappointing, fans shouldn't worry too much about how this could impact the team — an injury of this magnitude is one main reason the team spent money and brought in major pieces in the off-season. Had this injury taken place last season, there would be reason for panic due to the lack of depth at almost every position under then head coach Christie Sides. The Fever were prepared for this, whether it was Clark or anyone else.
Because of this new depth to the roster new head coach Stephanie White will have some decisions to make. No matter what rotation she chooses to run with, every player will need to be locked in and ready to carry their weight. This includes veteran guard Sydney Colson, who joined the team this year.
Colson is no stranger to playing under pressure
Sydney Colson brings a much-needed veteran presence to the roster for the Fever, something the team didn't have to its fullest capacity last season. Her new role with the Fever will begin sooner than maybe some fans expected after the news of the Clark injury. Colson, who is also an efficient guard, brings similar traits to Clark to the lineup. She plays with quick tempo for one, something that Coach White has quickly instilled in her new team, but she also brings characteristics that can't be coached into a player- energy and leadership.
Colson, if given the assignment, won't step into the Fever lineup expecting to play like Caitlin Clark. Despite only averaging 6.5 minutes per game over her three seasons with the Las Vegas Aces, she will likely be one to accept the challenge, and fans should know she is one player who will give every minute played her full-out effort.
Colson is also no stranger to filling the void on a team. She played a critical role in helping the Aces win a title in 2023 after coming off the bench in game 4 of the WNBA Finals for an injured Chelsea Gray. Colson finished a WNBA champion after completing a plus-minus +17 performance in that game.
The exact rotation coach White and her staff will decide on is unknown, but Colson will prove herself to be a good fit for the Fever and their winning agenda if that's what the team needs.