The Colts got one defensive boost Saturday, but they also took two more hits to a roster already under strain.
Indianapolis activated defensive end Arden Key from injured reserve ahead of its Week 10 meeting with the Miami Dolphins, while also signing linebacker West Weeks to the 53-man roster. At the same time, the team placed tight end Mo Alie-Cox and linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither on injured reserve.
Key’s return matters for a defensive front that has had to absorb plenty of change, especially after the recent trade of DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers. The 30-year-old edge rusher has been out since a hamstring injury in the Colts’ Week 4 win over the Washington Commanders in London, a stretch that cost him the last five games. Before getting hurt, he started all four games and posted 8 tackles, half a sack and 1 forced fumble.
He was back at practice Wednesday and handled full participation all week, though he still carried a questionable tag on Friday’s injury report. Now eligible to play Sunday, Key gives Indianapolis another piece in a pass-rushing group that has leaned heavily on Laiatu Latu, Jaylahn Tuimoloau and Caden Curry.
The injury news on Alie-Cox and Davis-Gaither cuts the other way. Alie-Cox has been sidelined by a groin injury and did not practice this week, leaving the Colts without one of their most reliable blocking tight ends. That opens the door for Tyler Warren and Drew Ogletree to see more work, while Will Mallory’s status is still up in the air after he showed up on Friday’s injury report with a hamstring issue.
Davis-Gaither’s knee injury kept him out last Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, and now his move to injured reserve thins out a linebacker room that was already stretched. Jaylon Carlies has also been ruled out for Sunday, which puts more on rookie CJ Allen and Bryce Boettcher. West Weeks should add depth behind them, along with Austin Ajiake.
Weeks came into the league as an undrafted rookie out of LSU, joined the Colts in the offseason and spent the year developing on the practice squad. His promotion gives Indianapolis another body at linebacker and on special teams as the team tries to manage a growing list of injuries.
At 2-7 and riding a five-game losing streak, the Colts are clearly in evaluation mode. Key’s return helps, but the latest roster moves only add to the challenge for a team that has already seen plenty of turnover in recent weeks.
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