Colts: Kemoko Turay has golden opportunity to break out on MNF

The Indianapolis Colts appeared ready to completely discard their old defensive line full of second-round picks of Kemoko Turay, Ben Banogu, and Tyquan Lewis. How else would you explain Chris Ballard using both of his first two 2021 NFL Draft selections on pass rushers in Kwity Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo?

Turay was still unable to play a ton of snaps in the first few games of the season, but he was given a chance when Frank Reich tried to take down the Dolphins in Miami. Matched up with rookie Liam Eichenberg, Turay had arguably the best game of his entire professional career up until that point.

Turay, who was strong in the preseason, totaled two sacks of former teammate Jacoby Brissett despite only playing 46% of the snaps. While he’ll have a much tougher test ahead of him in Monday’s game against Patrick Mekari, Lamar Jackson, and the Baltimore Ravens, but he might get the uptick in playing time he was looking for.

One of the more concerning absences for Indy will be Paye, who has been ruled out after not practicing all week long thanks to a hamstring injury. After his two-sack game against Miami, Turay figures to get an uptick in snaps, which is exactly what this team needs after his strong Dolphins showing.

Will Colts pass rusher Kemoko Turay play well against Baltimore?

While the Ravens had a very poor showing in a Week 1 loss against the Raiders, perhaps still adjusting to the loss of Orlando Brown, the unit has been much improved over the last three games, all of which have been wins for Baltimore. Will Turay stand up to that sort of punishment.

Part of the appeal Turay had when he was coming out of Rutgers was his willingness to bend the edge with pure speed, a facet of his game Eichenberg and the Dolphins had a tough trouble corraling. Jackson might be one of the most difficult quarterbacks in the league to sack, but Turay might end up pressuring him every now and again.

The Colts will likely be very judicious in how they use Paye until he is fully recovered and healthy, and Odeyingbo’s injury is so serious that Indy will keep him on ice for as long as possible. Thanks to this, Indianapolis has to lean on players like Turay if they are to generate consistent pressure.

Turay might not have done much to show Colts fans that a star turn is in his future so far, but considering that Indianapolis is thin at the defensive end spot and eh is coming off a wonderful performance, he’ll be counted on to make things happen in this one.

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