The Colts want Kemoko Turay to practice extensively before returning to action.
Heading into the bye week, Indianapolis Colts fans were excited to get an extra boost on the defensive side of the ball with the expected return of defensive end Kemoko Turay, who has been recovering from a torn ACL he suffered against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 5 last year.
Though the Colts’ defense has been (largely) very good this season, Turay’s return was hopefully going to improve the team’s promising pass rush (work still needs to be done), giving Justin Houston and DeForest Buckner more opportunities to get to the quarterback.
But Colts fans will have to pump the brakes with their excitement because the team wants to give Turay a few weeks of practice before he returns to game action. It’s frustrating no doubt, but we can’t blame Frank Reich and Co. This is a big-picture-type situation.
"The plan will be, ‘Hey, we gotta practice this guy a couple weeks before we do anything.”#Colts head coach Frank Reich on DE Kemoko Turay’s potential return from PUP — will it be soon? — as well as why zone-scheme runs were a bye week focus:https://t.co/LlS8O2yi3P
— Andrew Walker (@AWalkerColts) October 26, 2020
"“Regardless of how that plays out, the plan will be, ‘Hey, we gotta practice this guy a couple weeks before we do anything,'” Reich told Andrew Walker of Colts.com. “I mean, he’s gonna have to prove he can do it out on the practice field first before we think about putting him back on in a game.“He’s making progress. I think he’s making good progress. We just want to make sure we continue to make the progress that we (need) the next couple of days.”"
Turay, the former Rutgers star who was selected in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, has been effective in his limited NFL action. Across 18 games (three starts), he’s recorded 20 tackles, 18 QB hits, 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles, most of which came during his rookie season. So, yeah, you can see why fans want to see him back on the field with this version of the ferocious Colts defense.
With Kemoko Turay now ruled out at least two more games, #Colts absolutely should inquire about a pass rusher via trade. Carlos Dunlap or Ryan Kerrigan for a late-round pick makes a lot of sense.
— Locked On Colts Podcast (@LockedOnColts) October 26, 2020
As for acquiring reinforcements at the trade deadline, it’s unlikely general manager Chris Ballard opts to do so. Indy is waiting for a number of players to return from injury and Ballard likely wants to see all of the pieces of the puzzle come together before making a momentous move that could alter the dynamic of the roster, considering he’s likely going to make similar additions once the offseason arrives.
Turay could prove to be one of those “additions” in a few weeks, so fans can act as if he’s a desired trade/offseason acquisition. It’s all about perspective!
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