It seems like the distant past now, but less than two years ago, Zaire Franklin and E. J. Speed both logged more than 1,000 snaps for the Indianapolis Colts at linebacker. Both are now gone, and Lou Anarumo figures to deploy veteran free agent Akeem Gaither-Davis and a couple of rookies – C.J. Allen and Bryce Boettcher – as his primary second-level defenders.

Speed departed via free agency after the 2024 season. Initially, it appeared as if Jaylon Carlies was in line to take his place opposite Franklin. Carlies had played the third most snaps at linebacker in 2024, though he missed much of the middle of the season and his total snap count – 242 – amounted to barely 20% of the defensive plays.

Still, with Grant Stuard also gone, Carlies, just entering his second season, was the most experienced returning option on the roster. A preseason ankle injury stopped his progress and forced Anarumo to look elsewhere.

Two young Indianapolis Colts veterans battle it our for one likely spot at linebacker

During Carlies’ rookie campaign, Austin Ajiake was putting in time on the Colts practice squad, hoping for a chance to play in an NFL game. He had bounced around several other practice squads before arriving in Indy in 2024, but did not get to play on Sundays that year.

He finally got his chance last year, thanks in part to Carlies’ injury. Ajiake became a core special teams member and occasional fill-in at linebacker.

This year, both young players are healthy and figure to be in direct competition for what may be the final spot in the linebacker room.

Indianapolis is likely to keep four inside linebackers on the final roster. Davis-Gaither, Allen, and Boettcher are almost certainly the top three. Barring injury, that leaves room for one more.

It is a difficult race to handicap. Carlies and Ajiake have very similar profiles. Carlies has a little more size and length. Unlike Ajiake, who was undrafted out of college, Chris Ballard chose him in the fifth round of the 2024 draft. But he has yet to stand out in any one area, whereas Ajiake played very well on special teams last season.

Those similarities were again on display in Thursday’s preseason opener against New England. Neither player was especially good against the run. Both showed very solid coverage skills. That was always expected of Carlies, who played safety in college. Ajiake also has shown the ability to play well in zones and make sure tackles.

As defenders, either player could develop into a coverage specialist. NFL defenses are coming to value players of their size if they have the ability to drop into deeper zones. Either could see time as a big nickel safety in certain run/pass packages. But the ultimate decision may come down to special teams, and that’s where Ajiake might find an edge.

The other complicating factor is the health of C.J. Allen. That has much bigger implications for the defense as a whole, because the rookie is expected to play a major role in a largely restructured unit.

Five of last year’s starters, along with several key backups, are no longer with the club. If Allen’s injury issues linger, it could open the door for both Carlies and Ajiake to stick around on the initial 53-man roster.

But in the end, it is likely to come down to a simple battle. Carlies should be the better coverage linebacker. Ajiake should be more effective on special teams. If either can close the gap where he is currently trailing, that may end up being the determining factor in which one ends up playing Sundays and which one spends time on the practice squad.  

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