Indianapolis Colts Receive Brutal Injury News on Key Defender

There was some excitement and optimism surrounding the Indianapolis Colts entering training camp this year. With Anthony Richardson healthy, this team’s ceiling is as high as it has been in years.

However, the Indianapolis Colts are going to face some challenges on the defensive side of the ball. That is because they have suffered a major loss early in training camp.

Defensive end Samson Ebukam has reportedly suffered a torn Achilles tendon according to Stephen Holder of ESPN . The injury is expected to keep him sidelined for the entirety of the 2024 campaign.

The injury occurred during practice on Sunday. During a full-team portion, Ebukam went down with a severe injury.

This is a huge blow to the Indianapolis Colts defense and for Ekubam, who was entering 2024 with so much positive momentum. The 2023 campaign was the best of his career, as he recorded a career and team-high 9.5 sacks.

He started all 17 games for the Colts, adding 10 tackles for loss, 17 quarterback hits and 21 combined pressures . Ekubam was preparing for his eighth season in the NFL this fall.

While the loss of Ekubam will hurt, depth is one thing that the Indianapolis Colts have along their defensive line. The 15th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft was used on edge rusher Laiatu Latu out of UCLA, who was the first defender off the board.

He will see more snaps than originally anticipated as a rookie. Most of his work has come with the second team in practice, but his ascension on the depth chart could be accelerated with Ekubam sidelined.

Veterans Dayo Odeyingbo and Kwity Paye will also need to step up. They recorded 16.5 sacks combined last season and could be the team’s new starting bookends along the defensive line. At defensive tackle, the Indianapolis Colts have one of the best in the business in DeForest Buckner to anchor the unit.

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