The Colts defensive end depth has gotten even more depleted, after the team placed interim starter Tyquan Lewis on I.R.
The Indianapolis Colts announced on Tuesday that the team has placed interim starting defensive end Tyquan Lewis on injured reserve with an elbow injury.
Indianapolis signed defensive tackle Adam Gotsis from the practice squad to the active roster, and the Colts re-signed cornerback Kelvin Joseph to their practice squad.
Regarding Lewis, the 7-year defensive end, who’s started in Samson Ebukam’s absence, has 17 tackles (10 solo), 2 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and 12 total QB pressures during all 4 starts in 2024. Per PFF, he’s earned a +56.3 overall grade so far this season.
Gotsis made his Colts debut last week, assisting on a tackle and having a QB pressure, during Sunday’s upset home win against the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers.
While Lewis’s injury isn’t considered season-ending, it’s the latest blow to a once deep defensive end group that has also seen Ebukam, as well as the starter opposite of him, Kwity Paye (quad) go down with their own injuries in recent weeks—with Ebukam expected to miss at least the large majority of the 2024 campaign.
Rookie edge Laiatu Latu and versatile defensive lineman Dayo Odeyingbo will likely assume even larger roles, while rotational backups such as Isaiah Land and Genard Avery should also be in the mix to spell them at times. Lewis will be out a minimum of four games on I.R., so the earliest he can return is Week 9 on the road against the Minnesota Vikings. It’ll be interesting to see if Paye can return in time for Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
