Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard had some good news for Colts fans on Tuesday. DeForest Buckner, perhaps the steadiest holdover on a largely rebuilt defense, has been cleared for practice.
There was some concern about the veteran based on the neck injury that sidelined him late last season and complications during his recovery from post-season surgery. However, everything is looking good for the Colts’ defensive tackle.
That does not mean the team intends to rush him back into action. As Ballard told the press, “Buck’s had some years in the league … so we’ll work him back in slowly.”
Which Indianapolis Colts players stand to benefit from DeForest Buckner’s limited workload in camp?
Even if he wasn’t coming off surgery, the plan would be to ease him into the camp routine. Given his recent injuries, that becomes even more of a no-brainer. DeForest Buckner needs to be ready for the Baltimore Ravens on September 13. That’s his timeline.
And that opens up opportunities for some of the Colts' interior line backups to show what they can do. This is a real question mark right now. Lou Anarumo has a lot of bodies to rotate, but after Buckner, no surefire producers.
Even Buckner’s long-time running mate Grover Stewart is coming off his least effective complete season since 2021. Stewart turns 33 in October and would benefit from fewer snaps this year.
Ballard has assembled a range of veterans and youngsters to compete behind Buckner and Stewart. As camp begins, at least seven projected depth players should be taking snaps on the interior of the defensive line.
The two who should probably move toward the front of the line are Adetomiwa Adebawore and Colby Wooden. Both are 25 and ought to be playing some of their best football. With the departure of Neville Gallimore this offseason, Adebawore is the only holdover from last year’s backups.
The fourth-round pick out of Northwestern has appeared in 43 games for the Colts over the past three seasons. With Buckner’s injuries last season, he saw his most extensive playing in 2025.
Wooden, like Adebawore, a fourth-round draft pick in 2023, was acquired from the Green Bay Packers in the Zaire Franklin trade. He, too, saw his most extensive playing time in 2025.
The problem with both players is obvious. In some ways, it comes down to simple math. Adebawore is listed at 285 pounds – Wooden at 273. Weight may not be the ultimate determinant of interior line play, but it matters.
The projected interior offensive line starters for division rival Jacksonville average 307 pounds. That is the lightest in the AFC South. Houston’s rebuilt interior checks in at 317. Tennessee may be bringing up the rear in the division, but they are first in sheer interior line size. Peter Skoronski, Austin Schlottmann, and Cordell Volson average 322 pounds.
It is no mystery why Adebawore and Wooden score far lower in Pro Football Focus’s (subscription required) run grades than they do in pass rush grades. Their quickness allows them to be effective pass rushers. But they can be simply overpowered in the run game.
The Colts do have size amongst the backups, but it comes from the least reliable places. The oldest member of the group, Derrick Nnadi, hasn’t played a lot of quality football for several years now. The youngest member, rookie free agent Cameron Ball, has yet to suit up in the NFL. They have plenty of size but will need to surprise a lot of people to earn spots in the rotation.
Ballard mentioned that another young veteran, Michael Clemons, could see some time on the inside as well. Clemons is an ideally proportioned defensive end who might be able to use his quickness and length to make plays from the inside.
But at 267 pounds, he does not address the size problem behind Buckner and Stewart. The Colts have another veteran in Jerry Tillery and another youngster in Tim Smith in the mix. The Colts are the fifth club Tillery has been with in the past five seasons. Smith spent his rookie year on the Colts' practice squad.
But they will all have a chance to compete now. Buckner will be brought along slowly, and no one would be surprised if Stewart gets some reps off as well. Given their age and recent injury issues, Anarumo and line coach Marion Hobby must identify which players can become reliable parts of the defensive rotation.
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