Following their final practice of the week, the Indianapolis Colts ruled out three critical starters out for their Week 5 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Which included two from the defense and their star running back, Jonathan Taylor, from the offensive side of the ball.
Colts rule out three starters for Week 5
- Kenny Moore II, CB
- Kwity Paye, Edge
- Jonathan Taylor, RB
For a second straight week, the Colts will be without cornerback Kenny Moore II and edge rusher Kwity Paye. The team's plan at CB will likely be the same as in Week 4, with multiple players getting snaps at the two other starting CB spots along with Jaylon Jones. My best guess would be that Samuel Womack II and Chris Lammons end up with the second and third most snaps out of the CB room.
They won't be able to have the same plan to replace Kwity Paye, though, because Tyquan Lewis suffered an elbow injury that landed him on the injured reserve . So the team will likely start the duo of Laiatu Latu and Dayo Odeyingbo, with Isaiah Land getting a solid snap share as well. The Colts defensive line was viewed as their deepest position group, and they are lucky it was with three players already on the IR and now Paye having to miss time.
Last but not least, the Colts ruled out star RB Jonathan Taylor. Taylor has been fantastic to start the 2024 season, with him having over 100 yards from scrimmage in three of the four games this season. Him not being out there will be a big blow to the team's run game, which will now look to Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson to both step up and lead the rushing attack. I would also assume one of the team's upcoming practice squad elevations ends up being an RB, most likely Evan Hull.
Anthony Richardson and a pair of offensive linemen are questionable to play
- Anthony Richardson, QB
- Ryan Kelly, C
- Braden Smith, RT
The Colts also ruled three players questionable. One being quarterback Anthony Richardson as well as center Ryan Kelly and right tackle Braden Smith. Richardson was forced out of the team's Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers due to a hip injury. He was able to be a limited participant in practice all three days, which gives him the chance to play on Sunday. If he can't go, it'll be veteran Joe Flacco under center with Sam Ehlinger as his backup.
The Colts were without Kelly in Week 4, who was also questionable heading into that game. If he can't go, it'll once again be rookie Tanor Bortolini getting the start at center. And if Smith can't go, the Colts would most likely give the start to another rookie, Matt Concalves. The team has opted to make him active the past four weeks, with them making second-year tackle Blake Freeland inactive instead. But if Smith becomes inactive, both Goncalves and Freeland will probably get to dress in Week 5.
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