Heading into Week 2, Indianapolis Colts edge rusher Laiatu Latu is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury. He might play against the Denver Broncos, but he also missed practice on Friday. That's usually a sign that a player isn't going to play two days later.
Even if Latu does play, he could be on a proverbial snap count. Someone is going to have to pick up at least some of his reps, and Indy already has that player on the roster. Oddly, however, Latu's backup was a healthy scratch in Week 1.
The team chose JT Tuimoloau in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft. That high of a draft choice, and Tuimoloau was the 45th pick overall, normally sees playing time right away. Instead, after suffering an undisclosed injury in the preseason, he was a healthy scratch against the Miami Dolphins.
The Indianapolis Colts need to give JT Tuimoloau his chance to shine in Week 2
The reason was that defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo decided he wanted to have five defensive tackles against Miami. Still, it was an unusual decision.
The Colts might not have any choice but to play Tuimoloau in Week 2, though. Samson Ebukam and Tyquan Lewis are definitely going to see a bunch of reps in place of Latu if Latu isn't full-go, but Tuimoloau needs to get his chances, too.
He had 12.5 sacks last year and helped lead the Ohio State Buckeyes to the national championship. It took him a bit to be great in college, and possibly the same will happen in the NFL. But the rookie also isn't going to get better if he doesn't play, and he should play against the Denver Broncos.
In the preseason. Tuimoloau appeared in all three games, though by far his best was Indy's first preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens. The edge rusher had four quarterback pressures, including a sack. In his next two games, he didn't have a pressure.
But JT Tuimoloau shouldn't be tasked with being the only player to pick up Latu's slack. The rookie would be part of a pass-rush rotation that is needed to keep everyone fresh. Tuimoloau might see only 15-20 snaps, but he has the potential to make a difference in whatever reps he gets.