It’s only Week 2, and the Colts’ already thin cornerback room is going to have its depth put to the test with JuJu Brents on injured reserve. Unfortunately, that may end up being true at the safety position as well.
During Wednesday’s practice, Julian Blackmon popped up on the injury report with a shoulder injury and did not practice. Then, on Thursday, the reporters who were at Colts’ practice did not see Blackmon that day either.
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Without Brents at cornerback, the Colts are either going to have to rely on Dallis Flowers, who is coming off a 2023 Achilles injury and was a healthy scratch in Week 1, or Sam Womack, who was claimed off waivers just over two weeks ago and is viewed by the team as more of a slot presence.
Now at safety, the Colts signed Ronnie Harrison to the practice squad on Tuesday. Before that addition, including Blackmon, there were only four safeties on the 53-man roster and one on the practice squad in Marcel Dabo, an International Pathway Player.
Hopefully, Blackmon is able to go on Sunday, but if he is not, then we likely see Harrison take over at strong safety with Nick Cross at free safety. I supposed if you’d like to explore another option, the Colts could move Cross to strong with Rodney Thomas starting at free.
As of now, it does not look like Jordan Love will be playing for the Packers, which has the Colts preparing for Malik Willis to get the start at quarterback. Making Willis uncomfortable begins with slowing the Packers’ running game down, and putting him and the offense in obvious passing situations where the Colts’ pass rush can pin its ears back.
That, of course, will be a job that’s easier said than done against an offense that features Josh Jacobs at running back–not to mention that the Colts just surrendered 200-plus yards to the Houston Texans on the ground.
Contributing to those run game woes was the Colts’ usage of light boxes to provide the secondary with additional help against a dynamic trio of Texans’ receivers.
It’s very possible that the pendulum swings in the other direction for the Colts this week, given that I imagine there will be a strong emphasis on improving the run defense, along with Willis likely starting at quarterback. The goal for the Colts should be to put the ball in Willis’ hands and not Jacobs.
However, the potential downside to that approach is that there may be more one-on-one matchups on the back end against a group of Packers pass catchers that boasts depth and playmaking abilities. Between the receivers and tight ends, there are eight players who could see regular snaps within this offense.
While there will be unknown in what to expect from Willis, the Packers will have the clear advantage when it comes to the pass-catchers versus defensive backs matchup. The Colts’ ability to create pressure will be a must in an effort to help out their secondary.