The Indianapolis Colts defense is dealing with multiple injuries to key players right now, forcing others on the back-end of the depth chart to have to step up and play much larger roles.
Against the Steelers on Sunday, the Colts were without Kwity Paye, DeForest Buckner, JuJu Brents, and Kenny Moore.
So, throughout the game at those positions, we saw Chris Lammons, Sam Womack, Isaiah Land, and Adam Gotsis on the field against the Steelers playing meaningful snaps.
Womack was claimed on waivers by the Colts during roster cutdowns. Lammons began the season on the practice squad, and Gotsis recently arrived to the Colts’ practice squad.
Land began the season as the fifth defensive end on the depth chart to start the year and played 14 snaps through three games.
In Sunday’s game, Lammons would record four solo tackles, including one for a loss, and had a sack and fumble recovery to give the ball back to the offense.
Womack came up with a pair of pass deflections in key moments as a boundary cornerback, while Land showcased his ability to get after the quarterback.
Gotsis, meanwhile, was just signed to the Colts practice squad last week and was one of their two elevations for Sunday’s game. He ended up playing 14 snaps at defensive tackle.
The overall defensive performance wasn’t perfect, but it’s not going to be when missing that many starters. The Colts began leaking oil in the fourth quarter but did just enough to secure the win.
As the Colts need each week, core defensive players like EJ Speed, Zaire Franklin, and Grover Stewart were all integral parts in Sunday’s win. However, football is the ultimate team game and requires all 11 players to be on the same page.
Along with the mainstays in this Colts defense, some unfortunate injuries thrust several players into playing some meaningful snaps down the stretch of a close game, and this group rose to the occasion.