Colts’ Ballard Eager for Key Defender’s Return After Injury: Big Impact Ahead

The Indianapolis Colts are making bold moves in NFL free agency, adding new names to bolster their roster and seeking future rookies ahead of the draft. But amid the flurry of action, general manager Chris Ballard is particularly excited about the return of a key player who could make a major impact on defense: defensive end Samson Ebukam.

The Colts have focused heavily on strengthening their secondary this offseason, but there are still areas to address, including tight end, linebacker, offensive line, and defensive line. The team’s front seven had a down year in 2024, partly due to injuries. The biggest blow came when Ebukam, the team’s sack leader, suffered a season-ending Achilles injury before the season even started.

Despite still being in recovery, Ballard is optimistic about Ebukam’s potential return and what he brings to the table. “It’s a concern, absolutely,” said Ballard. “But when you know who the kid is and what he stands for and the effort he puts into everything, I’m willing to make that bet. We missed his physicality. Undeniably, we missed what Samson brought a year ago.”

Ebukam had a career-high 9.5 sacks in 2023, and his experience with elite defensive lines like the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers has been invaluable. Even though there were rumors Ebukam might be cut to save cap space, he remains with the team, and his return is now even more critical with Dayo Odeyingbo's departure in free agency.

“If he can bounce back from injury with numbers remotely similar to what he posted in 2023, the Colts’ defensive line should thrive again,” said Ballard. “Whether he's a 10-sack guy again or not, I can’t judge that. But in terms of energy, toughness, and what he brings every day, absolutely, I think he could be that.”

As the Colts look to rebuild, Ebukam’s return could be the catalyst for a much stronger defensive front, potentially paired with further improvements from this year’s draft.