Tag: Kenny Moore II

Colts’ players set to be free agents in 2024

These Colts will be unrestricted free agents in 2024.

The Indianapolis Colts wrapped up the 2023 regular season with a disappointing loss at home and now it’s time to look toward the 2024 offseason.

According to Over the Cap, the Colts are expected to have around $71.2 million in salary-cap space (fifth most) and $61.4 million in effective salary-cap space (third most) entering the 2024 offseason.

There are a number of players who have earned new contracts under the current coaching staff, which just concluded its first season. The front office also will likely restructure some contracts, and cut or trade some players, to free up some space even though it’s not as much of a priority this offseason.

But before we get into all of that, here are the Colts who are set to be unrestricted free agents in 2024:

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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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:

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3 Colts among top-10 at their position in Pro Bowl voting

A trio of Colts are top-10 at their position in Pro Bowl fan votes.

With fan voting commencing for the 2024 Pro Bowl Games, the Indianapolis Colts have three players among the top-10 at their respective positions.

Linebacker Zaire Franklin has the third-most votes among inside linebackers behind only Fred Warner and Roquan Smith. He currently ranks second in total tackles (130) and solo tackles (80). Franklin has never been voted to the Pro Bowl.

Left guard Quenton Nelson has enjoyed a bounce-back season and is currently seventh among guards in Pro Bowl voting. He’s back to moving people at will in the run game, and his 16 total pressures allowed ranks 12th among guards with at least 319 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. He has been voted to the Pro Bowl five times in his first six seasons.

Cornerback Kenny Moore II also is enjoying a bounce-back campaign in Gus Bradley’s system. Even though the NFL still doesn’t have a slot defender position for the Pro Bowl, Moore ranks 10th among cornerbacks in Pro Bowl voting. His 71.6 passer rating allowed in coverage ranks 11th among cornerbacks with at least 275 coverage snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. His 70.2 passer rating allowed from the slot is the best mark among all slot defenders.

There do appear to be a few snubs from the list. Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner is once again having a stellar season and continues to be one of the best interior pass rushers in the NFL.

Making a case for wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. has been difficult in the past, but he warrants consideration this season. He ranks fourth in receptions (87) and 14th in receiving yards (889), doing so with a backup quarterback.

The edge rusher group is deep every year, but the Colts have gotten some strong production from Samson Ebukam and Kwity Paye while safety Julian Blackmon has the sixth-lowest passer rating allowed in coverage among safeties with at least 262 coverage snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.

Fan voting for the 2024 Pro Bowl Games continues until Monday, Dec. 25. That will account for one-third of the votes with NFL players and coaches casting their votes on Friday, Dec. 29, accounting for the final two-thirds.

The 2024 Pro Bowl Games will begin with a skill competition on Feb. 1, 2024, and conclude on Feb. 4, 2024, with the flag football game.

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Colts’ Kenny Moore II back as NFL’s top slot defender

Kenny Moore is back as the NFL’s top slot defender.

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II is enjoying a strong bounce-back campaign and has returned as the top slot defender in the NFL as the team comes out of the bye week.

According to Next Gen Stats, he has the top overall slot score in the NFL and the top tackle score. The score is a “composite of a player’s production and efficiency when aligned in the slot through the first 10 weeks of the 2023 season. The rankings come from a pool of 46 slot defenders who play at least 50 percent of their snaps in the slot (min. 50 slot snaps).”

Here’s what Next Gen Stats said about Moore as the NFL’s top slot defender:

Coverage Score: 94
Pass Rush Score: 60
Tackle Score: 92
SLOT OVERALL SCORE: 91

Moore’s double pick-six performance in Week 9 against the Panthers, one of which came from a slot alignment, helped him land the No. 1 spot on this list.

The 2017 undrafted free-agent signee is in the midst of a career year, setting personal bests in completion percentage over expected (-6.2%) and target EPA (-14.1). Couple those marks with his third-least receptions over expected allowed when aligned as a slot corner (-3.2), and the result is the top coverage score (94) on this list.

Playing slot corner isn’t just about pass defense; these guys are also tasked with assuming a crucial role in preventing big run plays to the outside. Moore ‘s top tackle score (92) on this list indicates he’s been incredibly effective at doing just that. In fact, Moore leads all defenders in run stop EPA (-5.5) from a slot alignment this season.

According to Pro Football Focus, Moore’s 68.4 passer rating allowed ranks best among defenders with at least 152 coverage snaps in the slot. His 0.80 yards allowed per snap from the slot also ranks as the fourth-best among slot defenders.

Moore has been a vital glue guy in a young secondary that has also dealt with some major injuries.

In a contract year, Moore just might be playing himself into a new deal this offseason.

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Colts’ midseason awards for the 2023 season

Handing out some awards with the Colts in a bye week.

The Indianapolis Colts are enjoying the bye week and are just beyond the midway point of the 2023 season.

With 10 games under their belt and seven remaining, this team is right in the thick of the competition for a playoff spot if things bounce their way a bit during the second half of the campaign.

Before we get into the final stretch of the season, we’re going to hand out some awards as the Colts come out of the bye week.

Colts vs. Patriots: Key matchups to watch in Week 10

Key matchups to watch in Week 10.

The Indianapolis Colts (4-5) will be looking to gain some momentum heading into the bye week, but they first take on the New England Patriots (2-7) at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt, Germany on Sunday.

The overseas games are always unpredictable in nature. Players are dealing with an entirely new environment while the jet lag from the flight over likely still lingers a bit. Most games come down to a few key matchups whether it’s a one-on-one battle or between position groups as a whole.

Here are the key matchups to watch in this Week 10 bout:

Colts’ Kenny Moore II named AFC Defensive Player of the Week

An obvious choice for the AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week after putting together a historic game in the win over the Carolina Panthers.

Moore was the obvious choice from the Week 9 slate after he returned two interceptions for touchdowns, becoming the first player in Colts history to achieve the feat.

In total, Moore recorded eight tackles (seven solo) and two interceptions. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed four receptions on six targets for 21 receiving yards and just 12 yards after the catch.

It was the first time in his career that Moore recorded multiple interceptions in a single game, and it was the first time since 2021 that he recorded a pick-six.

Moore now joins kicker Matt Gay (Week 3) as the team’s only players to secure a weekly award from the league.

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