The Indianapolis Colts signed free agent Arden Key this past offseason to give edge rusher Laiatu Latu some help. Key has been a high-floor, low-ceiling player throughout his career, but he started well for Indy. In Week 4, though, he was injured and could miss a month. This is the time for rookie Caden Curry to step up.
Curry is, of course, a hometown hero from Center Grove, but he isn't on the roster simply because he is a local guy. He was brilliant at Ohio State last year and worthy of being on an NFL roster. So far, he has only seen the field for 34 defensive snaps, but that number could increase greatly in the next several games.
The Colts haven't put Key on injured reserve (yet) after he injured his hamstring, but according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the edge rusher is expected to miss 3-4 weeks. That is bordering on injured reserve territory, which requires a player to miss four games. Putting Key on IR would at least temporarily open a roster spot to elevate a practice squad player or sign a free agent.
Arden Key's injury could give Indianapolis Colts rookie Caden Curry a chance to shine
Either way, players already on the active roster should get more reps. Rookie George Gumbs Jr. should see his first reps, but Jaylahn Tuimoloau and Latu were already getting a lot of reps. The next-man-up spot should belong to Curry.
In four games, Curry has been involved in three tackles and has two run stuffs. His pass-rush and run-defense snaps are nearly equal (17 and 14, respectively), so the team obviously doesn't see him as a specialist, but more of a three-down player.
Sure, Caden Curry hasn't done much yet, but he also hasn't played much. 34 snaps are about half a game in the league. No quarterback pressures so far doesn't mean he won't have QB pressures moving forward. He has already flashed that he could help against the run.
Of course, if Chris Ballard signs a veteran edge rusher, someone like Joey Bosa, then that player would obviously get more of an opportunity to play than a rookie like Curry. If a player is signed, they might not be ready for Week 5 when the Indianapolis Colts take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. That gives Caden Curry at least one game to prove he should play more.
That, of course, is the hope for many. Few things are better in sports than a hometown guy returning to the local professional team and then becoming a star. Caden Curry isn't there yet, but Week 5 could be his first step toward getting there.
Add us as a preferred source on Google