Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen announced on Wednesday that defensive end Tyquan Lewis has been designated to return from injured reserve.
This now opens up a 21-day window for Lewis to be added back to the 53-man roster. Whether it be Day 1 or Day 21, he can be activated at any time, and once he is, Lewis will then be available on Sundays.
The Colts placed Lewis on injured reserve following the team’s Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He would exit that game early with an elbow injury.
Through four games, Lewis was the starting defensive end opposite of Kwity Paye. His 12 pressures were the most on the team at that time and he still ranks third among all defensive ends in PFF’s run-stop rate metric.
The eventual return of Lewis will, of course, provide the Colts’ defensive end rotation with a big boost, especially against the run, where perimeter runs have hurt this unit.
As a unit, the Indianapolis pass rush has been picking up steam the last month with the return of DeForest Buckner and with Gus Bradley dialing up more designed pressures.
Whenever Lewis is added back to the 53-man roster, a corresponding roster cut will have to be made in order to make room for him.
