Colts, Steelers Injury Update: Two In, Two Out

admin | December 15, 2023 | Other Clubs | No Comments

The Indianapolis Colts have ruled out two offensive starters for Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but two defensive starters will return.

The Indianapolis Colts face the Pittsburgh Steelers at home this Saturday, and as their playoff push grows, the Colts defense is getting some reinforcements.

Both starting linebacker E.J. Speed (knee) and cornerback JuJu Brents (quad) are expected to return to the field on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium. Unfortunately for the Colts, starting running back Jonathan Taylor (thumb) and right tackle Braden Smith (knee) will be out.

Here are the official injury reports for the Colts and Steelers for Week 15.

WEDNESDAY

Did Not Participate – OT Braden Smith (knee), RB Jonathan Taylor (thumb)
Limited Participant – DT DeForest Buckner (back), LB Segun Olubi (hip)
Full Participant – CB JuJu Brents (quad), LB Zaire Franklin (illness), CB Jaylon Jones (ankle), TE Will Mallory (rib), LB E.J. Speed (knee)

THURSDAY

Did Not Participate – DT DeForest Buckner (back/rest), LB Segun Olubi (hip), OT Braden Smith (knee), RB Jonathan Taylor (thumb)
Full Participant – CB JuJu Brents (quad), LB Zaire Franklin (illness), CB Jaylon Jones (ankle), TE Will Mallory (rib), LB E.J. Speed (knee)

OUT – OT Braden Smith, RB Jonathan Taylor

QUESTIONABLE – LB Segun Olubi

Brents, a rookie, has missed the last six games (seven weeks) due to a quad injury, but he returned to practice last week as a full participant and has trended favorably.

Speed did not play in last week’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, in which the Bengals dominated in areas where Speed generally excels, such as the run and screen games.

Smith also missed last Sunday’s game and was replaced by rookie Blake Freeland, who has already started seven games this season.

Taylor missed his second straight game on Sunday after sustaining a thumb injury that necessitated surgery in Week 12. Colts head coach Shane Steichen voiced confidence in Taylor’s return this season, saying, “That’s the plan, yeah.”

Zack Moss has taken Taylor’s position in the lineup, but he has yet to replicate the kind of success he had earlier in the season when teams weren’t as focused on him.

STEELERS

TUESDAY

Did Not Participate – RB Najee Harris (knee), QB Kenny Pickett (ankle), OLB Elandon Roberts (groin), G Isaac Seumalo (shoulder)
Limited Participant – DT Keeanu Benton (oblique), DT Cameron Heyward (groin), LB Alex Highsmith (concussion), S Damontae Kazee (ankle), OLB T.J. Watt (concussion)
Full Participant – CB James Pierre (shoulder)

WEDNESDAY

Did Not Participate – WR Diontae Johnson (knee), QB Kenny Pickett (ankle), G Isaac Seumalo (shoulder)
Limited Participant – DT Keeanu Benton (oblique), LB Alex Highsmith (concussion), OLB Elandon Roberts (groin),
Full Participant – RB Najee Harris (knee), DT Cameron Heyward (groin), S Damontae Kazee (ankle), CB James Pierre (shoulder), OLB T.J. Watt (concussion)

THURSDAY

Did Not Participate – QB Kenny Pickett (ankle), G Isaac Seumalo (shoulder)
Full Participant – DT Keeanu Benton (oblique), RB Najee Harris (knee), DT Cameron Heyward (groin), LB Alex Highsmith (concussion), WR Diontae Johnson (knee), S Damontae Kazee (ankle), CB James Pierre (shoulder), OLB Elandon Roberts (groin), OLB T.J. Watt (concussion)