The Indianapolis Colts are likely going to need a new kicker, at least in the short term. Spencer Shrader was injured in Week 5 on an extra point attempt after Las Vegas Raiders safety Tristin McCollum jumped offsides and then struck Spencer's leg.
The play was not a dirty one, though McCollum might still feel bad. He first jumped too early, and then he took a bad angle to the kicker, which caused an injury. After the game, Colts head coach Shane Steichen said the injury "doesn't look good."
Unfortunately, an injury to the leg a kicker uses to make his living is terrible for the player and the person. Shrader was off to a great start for Indy, and his career might now be affected by a bad play by an opponent. One kind of has to feel for a guy who was fighting for his job.
Indianapolis Colts have a clear option to replace kicker Spencer Shrader
The team does have to move on, though. Watching the Colts being forced to try 2-point conversions after every touchdown in Week 5 is not something that is sustainable moving forward. Plus, it is likely that made or missed field goals are going to make a difference in a win or loss in future games.
Indianapolis does have options to replace Shrader. Maddux Trujillo is one. He was involved in the battle for the Colts' kicking job ahead of the season. He was far from perfect, of course, but at least the team has a relationship with Trujillo and knows what to expect.
The option Indianapolis could go with, though, is a former Pro Bowler who has spent eight seasons in the NFL. Younghoe Koo is currently a member of the Baltimore Ravens practice squad, but any team could sign him to the active roster by picking him off the squad.
Koo was released by the Atlanta Falcons after missing a potential game-winning kick in Week 1, and he wasn't great in 2024 for Atlanta either, but he is only 31 years old, and kickers could have bad streaks followed by longer great streaks.
Koo has proven he can be a productive kicker. He's made 85.8 percent of his career field goal attempts, and he is 29 of 40 beyond 50 yards. As good as Shrader was through the first part of the season, his range seemed limited. He had only attempted two kicks beyond 50 yards and made just one of them.
What is clear is that the Indianapolis Colts will have to make a decision quickly on adding a new kicker. Younghoe Koo is available for the choosing. Indy just has to make it happen.