Colts have placed a critical defensive starter on injured reserve

admin | December 27, 2023 | Other Clubs | No Comments

The Indianapolis Colts have placed starting strong safety Julian Blackmon on injured reserve after he was hurt against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16.

The Indianapolis Colts were defeated 29-10 on Christmas Eve by Arthur Smith’s Atlanta Falcons. During the competition, however, something worse than a loss occurred.

After an attempted tackle on Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson, Colts starting strong safety Julian Blackmon suffered a shoulder injury and did not return. His regular season is now over, but he could return in the playoffs, according to The Athletic’s James Boyd.

The following is an update from the Colts on X: “We have signed S Henry Black off of the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad and placed S Julian Blackmon on IR.”

Blackmon was in the midst of his best season in his four-year NFL career (all with the Colts). Whether the Colts make the playoffs or not, Blackmon’s regular season comes to an end with the IR designation.

He’ll end with a strong stat line. Some of the measures are listed below.

15 games (all starts); 88 tackles (5 for loss); 8 passes defended; 4 interceptions. (All career-highs)

In the middle of this drama, the Colts signed former Steelers safety Henry Black off the practice squad. Black has some NFL experience, having played in all 17 games for the Green Bay Packers in 2021, recording 38 tackles, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, and 1 interception.

While Black might be inserted into Gus Bradley’s defense as a cornerback or safety, even with Blackmon’s injury, he is unlikely to see significant playing time.

With enormous shoes to fill, Nick Cross is set to stand in for Blackmon as he recovers. Cross and Rodney Thomas II are expected to start at safety for the Colts for the remainder of the regular season, and maybe the playoffs if Indy makes it.