Following the Colts’ third training camp practice on Sunday, both defensive ends Dayo Odeyingbo and Samson Ebukam are dealing with with calf injuries.
At this time, we do not know the extent of the injuries for either player. Odeyingbo did not practice at all on Sunday and was seen on a stationary bike.
Ebukam did practice but had to be carted off, according to Jake Arthur of Horseshoe Huddle, due to the calf injury he sustained.
“They’re both dealing with calfs,” said Steichen after Sunday’s practice.
Ebukam was signed during the 2023 offseason by the Colts and made an immediate impact. He led the team in sacks with 9.5 and was second in pressures, behind only DeForest Buckner. Ebukam also ranked ninth among all edge rushers in PFF’s run defense grade.
Odeyingbo, meanwhile, is coming off a 2023 season where he produced eight sacks and 29 pressures–both of which were career highs for him.
“I think it definitely helps in the sense that you see results in the work you’re putting in,” said Odeyingbo about his confidence after last season. “Production-wise, those are the kind of results you want to see.
“Just seeing consistent growth from year to year and production and in my technique personally is something that is something to be excited about and something I’m looking forward to this year.”
Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan noted that without either Ebukam or Odeyingbo on the field, Tyquan Lewis took over opposite of Kwity Paye at defensive end.
The depth of the Colts’ defensive front will be one of its key features this season, with the team believing they have eight or potentially nine players they can rely on over the course of a game–creating a constant barrage for the opposing offensive line to deal with.
The Colts’ defense is coming off a season where they produced a franchise record 51 sacks–the fifth-most in the NFL in 2023–but if there is one area where this unit can improve, as DeForest Buckner put it, it’s in the consistency in which they generate pressures.
