Tag: DeForest Buckner

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’ year-end awards from 2023 season

Handing out awards for the 2023 Colts.

The 2023 season ended in disappointing fashion for the Indianapolis Colts, but there are plenty of reasons to be excited for the future given what they showed throughout the campaign.

Considering where the Colts were just one year ago at this time, the outlook of the franchise is far more positive. They have a strong leader in Shane Steichen, a young quarterback in Anthony Richardson who shows promise, and some solid pieces to work off of this offseason.

But before we get into the thick of the offseason plans and predictions, it’s time to take a look back at the 2023 season and hand out some awards.

From MVP to the biggest disappointment, here are the Colts’ year-end awards from the 2023 campaign:

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:

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.

[lawrence-related id=93304,93332,93321]

Colts’ Quenton Nelson named AFC Pro Bowl team

Big Q is the lone Colts representative on the AFC Pro Bowl team.

Indianapolis Colts left guard Quenton Nelson was named to the AFC team for the 2024 Pro Bowl games, the league announced Wednesday night.

Nelson is the only Colts player to be represented on the starting squad while four others were named alternates. Those include defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., center Ryan Kelly and linebacker Zaire Franklin.

Nelson certainly deserves the honor of being a Pro Bowler for the sixth time in his career. He’s enjoying a strong bounce-back season both in pass protection and as a run blocker.

 

There certainly can be an argument made that Buckner and Franklin were snubbed. Buckner has been the engine of a Colts defense that set the franchise record for sacks in a season. Despite continuously seeing high rates of double teams, Buckner has produced consistently.

Franklin leads the NFL in tackles (170) and the AFC in solo tackles (104). Both Baltimore Ravens linebackers Roquan Smith (84) and Patrick Queen (78) both have fewer solo tackles but were named starting inside linebackers.

Pittman Jr. is enjoying a career season. Entering the finale, he has 104 receptions for 1,108 yards and four touchdowns. His reception and yardage totals are both career-highs. His receptions are third among AFC wideouts behind only Tyreek Hill (112) and Keenan Allen (108), and his yardage ranks sixth-best among all AFC wideouts.

Kelly is also enjoying a bounce-back season despite missing three games due to concussions. He has been one of the best centers in terms of pass protection this season, and he’s held up very strongly in the run game.

We’ll see if any of these alternates get added to the starting squad between injuries and Super Bowl players not being able to attend.

For now, the Colts will be represented by just one player.

[lawrence-related id=93321,93313,93309]

Colts vs. Raiders: Final injury report for Week 17

Here is the final injury report for the Colts and Raiders in Week 17.

The Indianapolis Colts (8-7) and Las Vegas Raiders (7-8) released their final injury reports Friday ahead of the Week 17 matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Here’s a look at the final injury report for the Colts in Week 17:

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

Notes

  • RB Zack Moss appeared to have a setback with his forearm injury so the Colts will be down a player in the backfield.
  • WR Michael Pittman Jr. is expected to play after clearing the concussion protocol but considering what happened last week, this is still a situation to monitor.
  • RT Braden Smith is expected to make his return from a three-game absence (really four) after practicing in full all week. Still, he’s listed as questionable.
  • CB Kenny Moore II popped up on the injury report Friday with a new injury so that will certainly be something to monitor.

Here’s a look at the final injury report for the Raiders in Week 17:

[lawrence-related id=92997,92995,92992]

Colts vs. Falcons: Final injury report for Week 16

Here is the final injury report for the Colts and Falcons in Week 16.

The Indianapolis Colts (8-6) and Atlanta Falcons (6-8) released their final injury reports Friday ahead of the Week 16 matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Here’s a look at the final injury report for the Colts in Week 16:

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

Notes

  • RB Jonathan Taylor is ready to return after practicing in full all week.
  • RT Braden Smith will miss his third consecutive game due to a knee injury he suffered in Week 12.
  • WR Michael Pittman Jr. cleared the concussion protocol but is still questionable due to a shoulder injury. He’s expected to play.
  • RB Zack Moss is questionable after not practicing all week.

Here’s a look at the final injury report for the Falcons in Week 16:

Studs and duds from Colts’ 30-13 win vs. Steelers

Taking a look at the studs and duds from the Colts’ 30-13 win over the Steelers.

The Indianapolis Colts (8-6) continued their playoff push with a 30-13 win at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7) on Saturday.

It wasn’t pretty in the first half, especially as the Colts were down 13-0 early on after a missed field goal, a touchdown drive allowed and then a blocked punt that led to another Pittsburgh touchdown.

But the Colts were able to prevail thanks to some big plays by the passing offense after Gardner Minshew gave Indianapolis their first lead as they took a 14-13 halftime lead.

From there, the Colts outscored Pittsburgh 16-0 in the second half as they cruised to a convincing 30-13 victory.

Here’s a look at the studs and duds from the Week 15 win:

Colts vs. Steelers: Updated injury report for Week 15

Here’s the updated injury report for the Colts and Steelers in Week 15.

The Indianapolis Colts (7-6) and Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) released their updated injury reports Wednesday ahead of the Week 15 matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Here’s a look at the updated injury report for the Colts in Week 15:

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

Notes

  • The Colts returned to practice Wednesday after starting the short week with a walkthrough.
  • CB Julius Brents appears to be on track to return after logging two full practices for the first time since suffering his quad injury in Week 7.
  • RT Braden Smith and RB Jonathan Taylor don’t seem likely to play this week unless they log a practice Thursday.
  • LBs Segun Olubi and Zaire Franklin are new additions to the injury report this week.
  • The Colts will release their final injury report with designations Thursday.

Here’s a look at the updated injury report for the Steelers in Week 15:

[lawrence-related id=92445,92443,92439]

Colts vs. Steelers: Initial injury report for Week 15

Here’s a look at Tuesday’s injury report for the Colts and Steelers.

The Indianapolis Colts (7-6) and Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) released their initial injury reports Tuesday ahead of the Week 15 matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Here’s a look at the initial injury report for the Colts in Week 15:

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

Notes

  • The Colts held a walkthrough Tuesday so participation levels are estimations.
  • CB Julius Brents was listed as a full participant for the first time since injuring his quad in Week 7.
  • RT Braden Smith and RB Jonathan Taylor are the only players to start the week as DNPs.
  • After being inactive in Week 14, it seems LB E.J. Speed could make his return this week.

Here’s a look at the initial injury report for the Steelers in Week 15:

[lawrence-related id=92411,92409,92404]