The Colts have ruled out linebacker Matthew Adams with an ankle injury.
Though worse injury news has doomed the Indianapolis Colts early on in 2020, the loss of linebacker Matthew Adams, who was ruled out for Week 3 against the New York Jets and will likely miss more time, is a significant one.
Adams is not a starter, but he’s played in all 34 games to start his NFL career. The 24-year-old suffered an ankle injury during a punt return during the team’s win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday and wasn’t able to return to action.
Now, what’ll the Colts’ linebacking corps do without the valuable rotational piece?
» Jack Doyle, Rock Ya-Sin miss practice; Matthew Adams out “a couple weeks.”
— Andrew Walker (@AWalkerColts) September 23, 2020
» Tons of familiarity on the Jets’ sideline on Sunday.
» Situational football, normally a strength under Frank Reich, must improve after two weeks.
Wednesday’s #Colts Notebook:https://t.co/PBGhgLWTZz
Adams, who was the Colts’ seventh-round selection out of Houston in the 2018 NFL Draft, has 44 tackles (six for a loss), two QB hits and a fumble recovery in 34 career games (nine starts). Though he doesn’t stuff the stat sheet, he’s familiar with Matt Eberflus’ defensive scheme and is a big contributor on special teams.
We’re not sure who’ll get more time behind Darius Leonard at the weak side linebacker position, but Zaire Franklin, Jordan Glasgow and E.J. Speed are all options.
Franklin was also a seventh-round draft pick in ’18 (out of Syracuse) and has appeared in all 34 games to start his career is the team’s backup middle linebacker, so perhaps he’ll be used at both positions on Sunday. He’s a Colts team caption for the 2020 season.
"We didn't just use yesterday as a day off, we used it as a day of action."
— Brett Bensley (@brettbensley) August 28, 2020
-Zaire Franklin, @Colts LB who also discussed the five key areas they will focus in 2020 to improve the community. pic.twitter.com/K9KkrBn7JU
Glasgow, the rookie out of Michigan, could perhaps get time against an inferior Jets side if the coaching staff feels it’s a good opportunity to get him some looks without the competition being too overwhelming.
As for EJ Speed, he’s the backup strong side linebacker, so he could be in a situation like Franklin where he’s locked into double duty for the afternoon. The 2019 fifth-round pick out of Tarlton State has seen action in 13 NFL games since the start of last season and has seven tackles (one for a loss).
At this point we’re not sure who Eberflus is going to roll with, so keep an eye out for these three guys come Sunday.
Colts: Mo Alie-Cox should press situation at tight end with another big game vs Jets
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