Colts rule out Kwity Paye, other defenders questionable vs

[JAFF]

https://www.indystar.com/story/sport...s/69645366007/

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Colts will not have defensive end Kwity Paye as they try to slow down Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, Devonta Smith and the high-wired Eagles on Sunday.

They hope that's the extent of the absences on that side of the ball.

Indianapolis has ruled Paye out with an ankle injury and tight end Jelani Woods out with a shoulder issue. It has listed two other defensive starters, cornerback Isaiah Rodgers Sr. and linebacker Zaire Franklin, as questionable with illnesses.

They are two of three defensive starters battling sickness this week, as Pro Bowl cornerback Kenny Moore II missed two practices and then returned for Friday's session. Rodgers Sr. and Franklin missed the final two days of the week.

Indianapolis Colts defensive end Kwity Paye has shown growth in his second season but will miss Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles with an ankle injury.
“It’s a little bit different, but everybody has some illness so we’re just trying to make sure – just following normal procedures, right?" Colts interim coach Jeff Saturday said. "Take care of each other, wash your hands a bunch, do all those things. A little sick bug going through, so just told guys to be mindful of that. That time of year, right?”

The Colts have also listed right tackle Braden Smith as questionable with a back issue. He tweaked his back before Friday's practice, and now they're monitoring his status.


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Smith would be a significant loss for an offensive line coming off its best game of the season against the Raiders, when Jonathan Taylor ran for 147 yards and Matt Ryan suffered just one sack or quarterback hit. The Eagles present a deep defensive line, particularly on the edges, where Hasson Reddick, Brandon Graham and Robert Quinn all pose issues.


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Philadelphia was the NFL's last remaining unbeaten team at 8-0 before falling to the Commanders on Monday. The Eagles, coached by former Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni, present one of the most balanced and creative offenses in the game, ranking in the top six of rushing and passing by Football Outsiders' DVOA metric for efficiency.

Losing Paye presents a challenge after defensive end Tyquan Lewis ruptured his patellar tendon. It places an emphasis on second-year edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo to set the edge against a run game led by Hurts and Miles Sanders as well as to provide pressure opposite the double teams and chips that Pro Bowlers DeForest Buckner and Yannick Ngakoue will see.

It would be a further uphill climb if Indianapolis had to play without Franklin or Rodgers Sr. The Colts just lost All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard to season-ending back surgery, which means E.J. Speed would take Franklin's spot next to Bobby Okereke as a starting linebacker.

Rodgers Sr. has been one of the least targeted cornerbacks in the game since he grabbed the lion's share of playing time over Brandon Facyson at the outside spot opposite Stephon Gilmore. Rodgers Sr. brings the speed to match up with Smith.

[omahacolt]

paye getting injured really is a sour note on the year. kid looked like he was going to break through.

we desperately need some outside rush. ngakoue is garbage, dayo is a nobody and that is about it. this defense could be top 8 with a solid pass rush