Colts sidelined two key rookies for Week 15 game vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Colts ruled out lineman Braden Smith (knee) and running back Jonathan Taylor (thumb) for their Week 15 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, according to head coach Shane Steichen.

Smith was injured in the Colts’ Week 13 triumph against the Tennessee Titans. Taylor had a thumb injury in Week 12 and had surgery two weeks later.

Cornerback JuJu Brents (quad) and linebacker E.J. Speed (knee) were both downgraded to out for Sunday’s game last Saturday. They were full participants in practice on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Steichen stated on Thursday that he expects Brents to play. His first game since Week 7 would be this one.