The Indianapolis Colts have listed defensive end Tyquan Lewis as questionable for the team’s Week 12 matchup with the Lions.
Lewis was designated to return from injured reserve earlier in the week and returned to practice on Wednesday. He was a full participant all three days.
The Colts placed Lewis on injured reserve after the team’s Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Lewis exited that game early with an elbow injury, which according to the Indy Star, did require surgery.
“It’s possible,” Lewis said of playing this week. “However, I do think moving on throughout the week, we’ve just got to get adjusted to playing again.”
Lewis began the season as the starting defensive end opposite of Kwity Paye, seeing most of his playing time come on early, more run-heavy downs.
However, his 12 pressures through those four games were the most on this Colts team at that time and even as we sit here in Week 12, Lewis’ run-stop rate ranks third among all defensive ends.
Getting Lewis back in the fold on Sunday’s would make the Colts’ defensive front the healthiest it’s been since the start of the season. Paye has missed some time with injury and DeForest Buckner came off of injured reserve a month ago.
In Lewis’ return, whenever that might be, perhaps the Colts have him on a snap count to start as he gets reacclimated. But his presence will provide the defensive end rotation with a boost, particularly in the run game, as he rejoins Paye, Laiatu Latu, and Dayo Odeyingbo.
Since Lewis is still on injured reserve, before he can play on Sundays, he must be activated and added back to the 53-man roster, which will require the Colts to make a corresponding roster cut to make room for him.