4 underrated Colts who must step up after Samson Ebukam’s injury

The Indianapolis Colts got some unfortunate news just a week into training camp.

Leading pass-rusher Samson Ebukam tore his Achilles during practice Sunday, ending his second season with the franchise before it begins. Ebukam is coming off the best season of his career and was a good fit for the LEO role in Gus Bradley’s defense.

This is a brutal blow for the Indy defense to lose one of their veterans but the positive is that their edge rushers are the strongest group on the roster.

The expectation is that Kwity Paye will resume his role while Dayo Odeyingbo and rookie Laiatu Latu should accumulate most of the 702 snaps vacant from Ebukam’s absence.

With Ebukam on the sideline for the 2024 season, this does allow the rest of the edge rushers to grab a bigger role in the rotation.

Here are four players that have that chance to make an impact this year:

Colts who must step up after Samson Ebukam’s injury

Tyquan Lewis

The easy choice on which of the remaining edge rushers will step up in Ebukam’s absence is Lewis. The veteran is coming off a career year after suffering season-ending injuries in back-to-back seasons. He set career highs in tackles (25), TFLs (nine), QB hits (13), and passes defended (three).

Isaiah Land

Land was claimed by the Colts on waivers after getting cut from the Dallas Cowboys when the 53-man roster was due last year. In his rookie season, he appeared in seven games.

He finished with six tackles and a sack. Land played just 7% of the defensive snaps as a situational pass rusher but did flash his ability to get after the quarterback when given the opportunity.

Titus Leo

The 2023 sixth-round pick didn’t get a chance to see the field in his rookie season because of a season-ending knee injury. This was unfortunate for Leo because he put together a solid preseason and likely would’ve made the 53-man roster. He does fit the bill for the LEO role in Gus Bradley’s defense which can help him carve out a role in the rotation.

Leo did suffer a knee injury during Monday's practice so that will be something to monitor.

Genard Avery

Another veteran that can take advantage of this opportunity is Avery. He offers experience with 62 games and 17 starts in his career. Avery was impressing during training camp last year before he suffered a season-ending injury. Gus Bradley spoke highly of him because of what he was showing in practice.

“I think that has kind of, maybe been his role (in the NFL),” Bradley said. “He does have really good speed and get-off. We are seeing consistently where if he was playing out there on first and second down, I think he’s more than just that for us.”

It won't be easy to replace Ebukam's production on the defensive line, but this does leave a chance for a handful of players to step up.