Colts’ Julian Blackmon placed on IR with shoulder injury

Julian Blackmon (shoulder) has been placed on IR.

Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon was placed on the injured reserve list due to a shoulder injury, the team announced Tuesday.

Blackmon suffered the shoulder injury during the Week 16 loss against the Atlanta Falcons and was replaced by Nick Cross.

This is a pretty big blow to the secondary considering the strong season Blackmon was having. In 15 games (all starts), Blackmon recorded 88 tackles (65 solo), four interceptions (team high), eight passes defended and five tackles for loss—all of which were career-high marks.

Blackmon will now miss the end of the regular season and potentially a wild-card game if the Colts make it that far.

The Colts will likely lean on the tandem of Rodney Thomas II and the aforementioned Cross as the starting safeties. They also signed Henry Black from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad to the active roster.

Blackmon is in a contract year and is scheduled to be a free agent during the 2024 offseason.

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