Despite being a veteran leader in the locker room for the last three seasons, the Indianapolis Colts decided to let defensive end Jabaal Sheard walk into free agency after the expiration of his contract this offseason.
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Sheard’s production hasn’t been strong enough to warrant another deal, but his presence on the edge will still need to be replaced. While his departure will allow for the potential growth of third-year pass rusher Kemoko Turay, the Colts are also giving some other players a chance to work on the edge.
Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus said Monday that the team expects to use both Denico Autry and Tyquan Lewis on the edge at times.
“That is a good question and I know there has been some talk about that. I certainly agree that that is something we should look at and we are looking at,” Eberflus said on the zoom call. “That is kind of what (Denico) Autry did before and Tyquan (Lewis). They have both done that. They both have played left end, they’ve played right end and they’ve played inside. So having players like that is certainly a good thing for our defense.”
The Colts are likely heading into the 2020 season with Turay and Justin Houston working as the starting defensive ends. Second-year pass rusher Ben Banogu will also get some looks like Al-Quadin Muhammad works in the rotation as well.
But with the addition of DeForest Buckner this offseason, the Colts will need to find ways to get Autry and Lewis some looks. Both were brought in to be flexible pieces on the interior and the edge.
The Colts like to keep their defensive linemen in rotation and with so many players already at the top of the depth chart, working on the edge might be a way for Autry and Lewis to carve out some playing time.
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