With Colts players reporting for training camp on Wednesday, the team announced that defensive tackle Raekwon Davis was placed on the non-football illness list.
We have placed CB Chris Lammons on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list and DT Raekwon Davis on the Active/Non-Football Illness list.
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) July 24, 2024
What specifically has Davis on the NFI list or how long he will be out isn’t known, but once healthy, he can be activated and back on the practice field.
Davis was one of the Colts’ two big outside free agent additions this offseason, signing a two-year $14 million deal.
Davis will immediately slot in as the third member of the Colts’ defensive tackle rotation and will be tasked with bolstering the run defense behind Grover Stewart. With Stewart on the field for the first six games of 2023, the Colts allowed only 3.7 yards per rush. However, over the next six without him, they gave up 4.9 yards per carry, according to ESPN.
With that said, it’s not as if Davis was signed to only be a run-stuffer. The Colts’ believe there is a new level of pass rush production that he can unlock in Gus Bradley’s attacking defensive front.
“I’m just trying to experience new things,” Davis said via the Indy Star. “Since coming out of ‘Bama, I’ve been playing the same technique, two-gapping, and to experience a different technique, being with those two guys (DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart), is going to be great.”
In addition to Davis going on the NFI list, the Colts also placed Chris Lammons on the PUP list. For more on Lammons, click here.
The good news is that only Davis and Lammons have designations. When meeting with reporters, GM Chris Ballard mentioned that JuJu Brents had an ankle clean up following offseason programs, but that he should be cleared soon.
Genard Avery is “getting close.” Braden Smith will get worked back slowly, and Ashton Dulin is “good to go,” although he may be limited to start.