Ebukam ‘long shot’ to return from injured list
INDIANAPOLIS - The Colts placed Samson Ebukam on injured reserve with a designation to return, just a month after the edge rusher tore his Achilles.
But general manager Chris Ballard pumped the breaks on a likely return.
“All right, it’s a long shot. There’s no doubt,” Ballard said. “But if you’re going to bet on somebody, you bet on Samson. It is a long shot, but you never know.”
An Achilles tear is almost always season-ending, and it often takes players beyond their next season back to regain their athleticism. Cornerback Dallis Flowers is facing that battle now, and safety Julian Blackmon and punter Rigoberto Sanchez have experience it in the past.
Ebukam was one of three players the Colts placed on injured reserve ahead of Tuesday’s roster cut deadline, joining tight end Jelani Woods and linebacker Cam McGrone.
The team also designated McGrone to return from an elbow injury. Woods, however, was not an option. “No,” Ballard said. “Yeah, no.” With Ebukam out, the Colts are hopeful that Laiatu Latu can step in and fill the void.
In his first year in Indianapolis after signing as a free agent from the 49ers, Ebukam led the Colts with 9.5 sacks in the “LEO” edge rushing role that has long been a staple of Gus Bradley’s Seattle-style 4-3 defense. He was set to start opposite Kwity Paye again this season, with Latu mixing in on passing downs.
The Colts selected Latu as the first defender taken in this year’s draft at No. 15 overall because they had hopes that he could emerge into the kind of gamesealing edge rusher who can beat maximum protection schemes, like they often faced down the stretch last season.
With Ebukam down, plus a thin secondary that features just five total cornerbacks, the Colts need that production from Latu now.
“He’ll play, He’ll play. Yeah, he’s going to play a lot,” Ballard said. “... He’s got pretty freaky instincts. Watch his eyes. His eyes never come off the quarterback. Ever. It’s pretty impressive to watch.”