Rey Maualuga won't return vs. Colts

— -- INDIANAPOLIS -- Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga left Sunday afternoon's wild-card round playoff game against the Colts with a hamstring injury and will not return.

Just one minute into the second quarter, Maualuga went down on the field while trying to jog off as part of a defensive substitution. He didn't make it all the way to the sideline, going down as trainers came out to evaluate him.

They examined his right leg before helping him to the sideline and eventually loading Maualuga onto a cart. Moments later, he was driven into the Bengals' locker room.

Maualuga had a serious hamstring injury during the regular season that forced him to miss four games, including the Week 7 meeting at Lucas Oil Stadium. The week before, against Carolina, he left the overtime game in the fourth quarter because of the hamstring issue.

Noted as one of the Bengals' best run defenders, Maualuga's absence had an impact during the four games he missed. According to ESPN Stats & Information, without Maualuga during the regular season, the Bengals allowed an average 4.9 yards per rush, and 3.4 yards before contact per rush. With Maualuga on the field, the defense allowed 3.6 yards per rush, and 2.2 yards before contact per rush.

Maualuga entered the game with 59 tackles and an interception. He had two tackles and a pass defense before his departure.