The Colts will be heading into their Week 15 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks with several key players sidelined, and the injury list reads like a who's who of impact contributors on both sides of the ball.
Let’s start up front, where the offensive line takes a significant hit. Right tackle Braden Smith has officially been ruled out with neck and concussion issues.
Smith hasn’t practiced all week, so this move isn’t a surprise-but it’s still a big blow. Smith is a cornerstone of the Colts’ pass protection, and his absence puts rookie Jalen Travis in the spotlight.
Travis has shown flashes, but this will be a real test against a Seattle front that can bring pressure off the edge. Expect the Colts to give him some help with tight ends or chip blocks, especially early on, as he settles into the role.
On the defensive side, the secondary is getting thin-and fast. Cornerback Sauce Gardner is out with a calf injury that’s expected to keep him off the field for multiple weeks.
He didn’t log a single practice this week, which means the Colts will lean on Mekhi Blackmon and Jaylon Jones to hold down the outside. That’s a tall order, especially considering veteran Charvarius Ward was just placed on injured reserve earlier this week with a concussion.
This group is young, and they’ll be tested by a Seahawks offense that isn’t shy about taking shots downfield.
Special teams will also look different on Sunday. Wide receiver and return man Anthony Gould is out again-this time with a foot injury.
Gould has already missed time this season, and his absence means Josh Downs will likely step into return duties. Downs has the quickness and vision to be effective, but ball security and decision-making will be key, especially in a game that could come down to field position.
And then there’s the defensive line, where the absence of DeForest Buckner looms large. Buckner, who’s been working his way back from injured reserve with a neck injury, was limited in practice all week but won’t suit up just yet.
The Colts are clearly being cautious with their star interior lineman-and rightly so. Buckner is the kind of player who can wreck a game plan from the inside, and without him, the Colts will need a collective effort to generate pressure and slow down the run game.
One player to keep an eye on is Tyquan Lewis. The veteran defensive end is officially listed as questionable with a groin injury, but he practiced twice this week-including a full session on Friday.
That’s usually a good sign. If Lewis is active, he could help offset some of the disruption caused by Buckner’s absence, especially in passing situations where his speed off the edge is a factor.
Bottom line: the Colts are banged up heading into a critical matchup. With multiple starters out and a few more questionable, this game will test their depth and resilience. It’s the kind of situation where coaching adjustments, next-man-up mentality, and execution in the trenches will decide whether Indianapolis can stay in the playoff hunt-or fall a step behind.