The Indianapolis Colts announced on Saturday that linebacker Jaylon Carlies had been downgraded to out for Sunday’s matchup with the Denver Broncos.
Initially, on Friday’s final injury report, Carlies had been listed as questionable, and called himself a game-time decision for Sunday’s game.
Carlies was placed on injured reserve following the Colts Week 7 win over Miami with a fibula injury. He will remain on injured reserve for the time being after being designated to return to practice earlier in the week.
Once a player has been designated to return from IR, a 21-day window opens for him to be added back to the active roster. The player can be added back at any time within that window; it is all dependent upon their health, and once that process is completed, the player can be active on Sundays.
After a strong training camp and preseason performance, Carlies established himself as the Colts’ third linebacker, seeing steady playing time when the team is lined up in their base 4-3 defense, and three linebackers are needed on the field.
Carlies, a fifth-round pick by the Colts this past April, is a former college safety at Missouri, bringing added coverage ability to the linebacker position.
In fact, Carlies was on of PFF’s highest graded rookies through the first six weeks of the season, where he had proven to be a reliable tackler and was allowing only 6.6 yards per catch in coverage.
In addition to his defensive contributions, Carlies was a regular special teams contributor as well, playing 66 snaps over six games and across three different phases.
Without Carlies, the Colts will continue to rely on Grant Stuard to fill that third linebacker role when three are needed on the field.