The Colts’ early choice at linebacker is already drawing heat, and Anthony Hill’s latest award only sharpens the spotlight.
While Indianapolis has gotten almost nothing from CJ Allen through three games, Hill has taken off for the Tennessee Titans. The rookie out of Texas was named AFC Defensive Rookie of the Month for September after piling up 34 tackles, which led the Titans, along with a couple of quarterback pressures and passes defended.
That kind of start makes the contrast hard to ignore. Hill isn’t just producing like a solid rookie; he’s playing at a Pro Bowl level.
Allen, meanwhile, was a healthy scratch in Week 1 and then logged just 11 snaps across Weeks 2 and 3. His production so far is limited to one assisted tackle and one completion allowed for five yards.
The draft numbers only add to the frustration. Colts general manager Chris Ballard selected Allen 53rd overall, while Hill went 60th to Indianapolis’ AFC South rival. If the early trend holds, the Colts could end up watching the Titans turn a player they passed on into a star.
That stings even more because Ballard’s expectations for Allen were clear from the jump. After taking him in the second round, Ballard said the linebacker was the type of player who would be the green dot in the defense from the start of his career. Instead, Allen hasn’t even been on the field enough to get close to that role.
Indianapolis has pointed to injuries as part of the story, saying Allen was slowed in training camp before returning early in August and staying healthy since then. At this point, though, that explanation doesn’t carry much weight three games into the regular season. If the issue isn’t health, it may be a fit in Lou Anarumo’s scheme.
Either way, the Colts haven’t gotten what they expected. Allen hasn’t emerged as the defensive presence Ballard described, and he’s not even cracking the lineup ahead of veterans and other young players. Akeem Davis-Gaither is handling the green dot, and every other inside linebacker is getting snaps before Allen, including fellow rookie Bryce Boettcher.
There’s still time for Allen to turn this around. But right now, Hill is the one making the louder statement, and the Colts are the team left wondering whether they missed on the better linebacker.
In Other News...
Colts London Matchup Suddenly Centers On Washingtons Biggest Week 4 Decision
The Commanders trip to London has quickly turned into more than just another international showcase, with the buildup to Sundays game against the Colts now shaped by the health of Jayden Daniels and a few other key names on Washingtons injury report. The team listed several players as non-participants or limited in practice, and the early arrival in London was part of a broader plan to settle in before a game that now carries a little extra uncertainty.
Dan Quinn has been careful not to rush Daniels back, stressing caution as Washington weighs its biggest Week 4 decision. Daniels, for his part, has made it clear he wants to play, but his mobility remains part of the conversation as the Commanders try to balance urgency with the long view. For Indianapolis, the matchup suddenly looks less like a straightforward overseas test and more like a game that could hinge on how Washington handles its quarterback situation. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Avoid One Problem Sunday But Still Face A Real Threat
The Colts got one piece of good news heading into Sundays matchup with Washington, as Jayden Daniels has been ruled out with a left elbow injury. Marcus Mariota is expected to make the start in his place, and he has already shown he can keep an offense moving after working effectively against Seattle. Even with the change under center, Indianapolis is still being looked at as the favorite in Week 4.
Still, a quarterback switch does not automatically make the Commanders an easy draw. Mariota brings a different kind of challenge, one that can alter the feel of the game in a hurry if the Colts are not sharp early. For Indianapolis, the bigger issue may be less about who is starting for Washington and more about making sure a favorable setup does not turn into a tense afternoon. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Are Doubling Down On A Growing Connection Overseas
The Colts have made international growth part of their identity, leaning into the NFLs push to build a bigger footprint overseas while taking their brand directly to fans in London and Germany. Through games and team events, Indianapolis has tried to show that the leagues full gameday atmosphere can translate well abroad, not just the on-field product but the entire experience that surrounds it.
Blue has become a familiar part of those activations, helping give the Colts a visible, playful presence as the team works to connect with new audiences. For the organization, the effort is about more than a one-off trip or a marketing stop. It fits a broader belief from team executives that the NFLs future includes a stronger global reach, and the Colts want to be seen as part of that growth. [Read more 🡒]