The latest Colts’ injury news leaves the defense shorthanded in this key area.
A key aspect of the Indianapolis Colts’ defense is going to be shorthanded this week against the Atlanta Falcons.
Head coach Shane Steichen announced on Friday that defensive ends Samson Ebukam and Tyquan Lewis have both been ruled out for Sunday’s game.
Ebukam suffered a knee injury in Week 7, and Lewis a groin injury in that same game. Both players have missed the last two weeks.
Along with not having Ebukam or Lewis, the Colts also announced that DeForest Buckner is being placed on injured reserve. He will now have to miss at least the next four games.
Not having these three players comes with a big blow to the Colts’ pass rush unit — an area where this defense has been up and down this season.
While the Colts’ overall pressure numbers are sound, that’s in part a product of most opponents playing from behind for much of the game and becoming pass-heavy. In terms of pass rush efficiency, the Colts rank 29th in ESPN’s pass rush win rate.
Last week, without Ebukam or Lewis, the Colts relied mostly on Kwity Paye and Laiatu Latu at defensive end, with JT Tuimoloau and Durell Nchami combining for 13 total snaps. At what is often a heavily rotated position, there was very little rotation taking place.
Without Buckner this week, Neville Gallimore and Adetomiwa Adebawore will see larger roles and will be tasked with providing that pass-rush presence from the interior.
Helping the Colts’ shorthanded pass rush should be the addition of Sauce Gardner. For one, stickier coverage means more time to get home, but Gardner’s presence also allows Lou Anarumo to call a more aggressive game, which should help the pass rush out.
Awaiting the Colts this week is a Falcons’ offensive line that ranks fourth in pressure rate allowed on the quarterback this season.