Injury report released for Wisconsin vs Purdue in Big Ten Tournament semifinal

Update on Wisconsin’s Chucky Hepburn, Tyler Wahl and Purdue’s Braden Smith:

Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn and forward Tyler Wahl are listed as questionable for the Badgers’ Big Ten Tournament semifinal matchup with Purdue on Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Purdue guard Braden Smith is listed as a game-time decision after leaving the Boilermakers’ win over Michigan State with a knee injury.

Related: Wisconsin Badgers vs Purdue Boilermakers: TV channel, betting line, game notes for Big Ten Tournament semifinal

The No. 5-seed Badgers and No. 1-seed Boilermakers meet with a spot in the Big Ten Tournament final on the line. The winner will take on the winner of No. 6 Indiana vs No. 2 Illinois.

Purdue won both matchups against Wisconsin during the regular season including a narrow 78-70 win in West Lafayette on March 10.

Wisconsin will hope to have its stars available when the game tips off at 1 p.m. eastern.

UPDATE: Both Hepburn and Wahl are starting for Wisconsin

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

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Colts’ Braden Smith had successful knee surgery

Braden Smith underwent successful knee surgery this offseason.

Indianapolis Colts right tackle Braden Smith underwent successful knee surgery this offseason to repair the nagging injury he played through at the end of the 2023 campaign.

General manager Chris Ballard told reporters Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine that Smith’s surgery was successful. Whether Smith will be ready to participate in the spring workouts remains to be seen.

Even though injuries limited Smith to just 10 games last season, he was a vital piece of the offense. He didn’t allow a single sack and his 14 pressures allowed were the third-fewest among offensive tackles with at least 300 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.

On top of that, Smith was one of the best run blockers in the NFL when he was on the field, ranking in the top 10 in ESPN’s run-block win rate metric.

The starting five on the offensive line rarely played together at the same time with only a handful of games featuring the starting unit. But they were as strong as any offensive line in the league when they were healthy.

The emergence of Bernhard Raimann at left tackle coupled with Smith’s dominant play when healthy has given the Colts bookend tackles they can rely on heavily.

Hopefully, the surgery will prevent any issues moving forward, and the Colts right tackle can get back to dominating the edge in 2024.

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PFF ranks Colts offensive line among elite units

The Colts offensive line is back to being elite.

The Indianapolis Colts offensive line seems to have found its identity as a bullying unit once again, and Pro Football Focus placed them among the elites in their latest ranking.

Finalizing the offensive line rankings from the 2023 season, the Colts came in at No. 3 at the end of the campaign. They slotted in right behind the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions while sitting just ahead of the Atlanta Falcons.

3. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Best lineup:
LT Bernhard Raimann
LG Quenton Nelson
C Ryan Kelly
RG Will Fries
RT Braden Smith

Injuries to center Ryan Kelly and right tackle Braden Smith weakened this unit, but when the Colts played all five of their starting offensive linemen — like in the first half against the Texans in Week 18 — it was one of the best and most improved front fives in the NFL.

The Colts’ offensive line allowed just 15 sacks all season, the third fewest in the NFL.

Best player: Bernhard Raimann
Raimann was one of the breakout players of the 2023 NFL season, ranking fifth among left tackles in PFF overall grade (82.3).

After a few seasons of mediocre to poor play from the offensive line, the unit stepped it up big time during the first season under head coach Shane Steichen and new offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr.

The latter deserves a lot of credit for turning the unit around from where they were just one year ago, and it helps that Quenton Nelson and Ryan Kelly found their forms as tone setters on the interior.

Though the starting unit only played a handful of games together due to injuries, they were stellar when they were on the field at the same time.

The breakout campaign from Bernhard Raimann proved the Colts may have a cornerstone piece at left tackle for the next handful of seasons while right tackle Braden Smith was a strong option despite an extensively injured season.

At right guard, Will Fries proved worthy of being a starting option. He may not have blown the doors off the opposition, but he certainly provided the Colts with enough value to be trusted upon at right guard.

Adding depth to the unit is the main priority considering the starting five will return in 2024 so there’s a solid chance they will be able to build upon the foundation they set in 2023.

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Colts’ best and worst PFF grades from 2023 season

Checking out the Colts’ best and worst PFF grades from 2023.

Following a surprisingly successful but simultaneously disappointing end to the 2023 season for the Indianapolis Colts, it’s time to take a look back at the top grades from the campaign that was.

Courtesy of Pro Football Focus, the Colts’ highest overall grade on either side of the ball belonged to right tackle Braden Smith, who posted an offensive grade of 83.3. On defense, edge rusher Samson Ebukam led the unit with an overall grade of 84.4. This is using 170 snaps played as the minimum requirement.

The worst grade on offense was owned by offensive tackle Blake Freeland, who finished his rookie season with a 44.2 grade. Defensive tackle Eric Johnson II finished the season with a 30.5 overall grade, the lowest of any player meeting the 170-snap threshold.

Now, a look at the best and worst overall PFF grades for the Colts in 2023:

Colts had no All-Pro selections for 2023

The Colts had no All-Pro selections in 2023, but several players were close.

The Indianapolis Colts were not represented with any selections on the All-Pro First or Second Teams for the 2023 season, but several players were right on the cusp.

While the majority of the time the First-Team selections are what truly stick around, it’s notable when players are voted as Second-Team selections. It’s even noteworthy if a player fails to garner either selection but still receives votes.

The way the system works is the panel of 50 writers vote for each position. If a player is voted on the first team, that vote is worth three points. Second-team votes are worth one point. The players with the most points total get selected.

For the Colts, the following positions received no votes whatsoever for the 2023 AP All-Pro teams:

  • Quarterback
  • Running Back
  • Wide Receiver
  • Tight End
  • Left Tackle
  • Right Guard
  • Edge Rusher
  • Cornerback
  • Kick/Punt Returner
  • Special Teamer

Now, let’s take a look at the Colts players who did receive votes for the 2023 AP All-Pro teams, courtesy of the Associated Press’ Rob Maadi:

Auburn in the NFL: Week 18 Recap

Auburn alumni showed out in NFL Week 18

The NFL regular season has come to an end.

With it, many Auburn alumni have packed their bags and begun their offseason.

Still, we say many Tigers make headlines in the final week of the regular season, with some Auburn alumni helping their squads qualify for the playoffs.

Panthers defensive tackle [autotag]Derrick Brown[/autotag] set an NFL record, [autotag]Carlton Davis[/autotag], [autotag]Jamel Dean[/autotag], and KJ Britt helped the Bucs clinch the NFC South, [autotag]Anders Carlson[/autotag] and [autotag]Colby Wooden[/autotag] are heading to the postseason as rookies, and [autotag]Braden Smith[/autotag]’s Colts lost a heartbreaker to the Texans.

Here is a look at several headlines from Week 18 that feature Auburn’s top NFL players.

Colts’ Braden Smith ruled out with knee injury vs. Texans

Braden Smith was ruled out for the remainder of the game due to a knee injury.

Indianapolis Colts right tackle Braden Smith fought through a lot of pain to play against the Houston Texans and while he was able to start the game, he was ruled out near the end of the third quarter.

Smith has been dealing with a knee injury and was questionable on the injury report going into the weekend. He seems to have given it his best shot despite the immense pain, but the veteran right tackle wasn’t able to finish the game.

Smith will once again be replaced by rookie Blake Freeland at right tackle.

Colts vs. Texans: Final injury report for Week 18

The final injury report for the Colts and Texans in Week 18.

The Indianapolis Colts (9-7) and Houston Texans (9-7) released their final injury reports Thursday ahead of the Week 18 matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Here’s a look at the final injury report for the Colts in Week 18:

Notes

  • C Ryan Kelly practiced in a limited fashion, giving him a chance to play this weekend. His status is still very much up in the air.
  • CB Chris Lammons didn’t practice all week and even though he’s questionable, it’s difficult to see him playing.
  • LG Quenton Nelson was a limited participant for the final two practices but is still listed as questionable.
  • RT Braden Smith, CB Kenny Moore II and RB Zack Moss are all questionable but should be expected to play considering they logged full practices twice this week.

Here’s a look at the final injury report for the Texans in Week 18:

Notes

  • DE Jonathan Greenard leads the Texans with 12.5 sacks and will not play.
  • With WR Noah Brown out, Nico Collins is the main wideout to focus on.

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Colts vs. Texans: Updated injury report for Week 18

Here’s the updated injury reports for the Colts and Texans on Wednesday.

The Indianapolis Colts (9-7) and Houston Texans (9-7) released their updated injury reports Wednesday ahead of the Week 18 matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Here’s a look at the updated injury report for the Colts in Week 18:

Notes

  • The Colts returned to practice Wednesday after starting the week with a walkthrough.
  • C Ryan Kelly continues to miss practice and was seen wearing a walking boot. He still has a chance to play, but it’s something to keep in mind with one practice remaining this week.
  • Encouraging news that CB Kenny Moore II, G Quenton Nelson, RB Zack Moss and RT Braden Smith all practiced in full Wednesday.
  • The Colts will release the final injury report with designations Thursday afternoon.

Here’s a look at the updated injury report for the Texans in Week 18:

Notes

  • All four defensive linemen on the Texans injury report are the team’s sack leaders. They have all yet to practice entering Thursday.
  • Starting LT Laremy Tunsil returned to practice Wednesday.
  • Houston could be without two of its three starting wide receivers with Noah Brown and Robert Woods listed as DNPs entering the final practice day.

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Colts vs. Texans: Initial injury report for Week 18

Here’s a look at the initial injury report for the Colts and Texans in Week 18.

The Indianapolis Colts (9-7) and Houston Texans (9-7) released their initial injury reports Tuesday ahead of the Week 18 matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Here’s a look at the initial injury report for the Colts in Week 18:

*DNP = Did Not Participate — LP = Limited Participant — FP = Full Participant*

Notes

  • The Colts held a walkthrough Tuesday so participation levels are estimations.
  • C Ryan Kelly and G Quenton Nelson emerged with some injuries from Week 17 but were able to finish the game.
  • CB Kenny Moore II was inactive in Week 17 but would have started the week as a limited participant.
  • It seems Braden Smith avoided a setback in his first game returning from a knee injury, but he should still be monitored the rest of the week.

Here’s a look at the initial injury report for the Texans in Week 18:

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