The Indianapolis Colts are entering Week 4 looking to win back-to-back games following their win over the Chicago Bears in Week 3.
But after completing their final practice of the week, they announced that they'd be missing two key defensive starters and listed four players as questionable.
Colts rule CB Kenny Moore & Edge rusher Kwity Paye out for Week 4
The Colts ruled both starting slot CB Kenny Moore II and edge rusher Kwity Paye out for their Week 4 matchup against the Steelers. Both players left the game in Week 3 with injuries and were mentioned by head coach Shane Steichen as injuries the team was going to monitor throughout the week. Both went on to miss all three practices, so their being ruled out now isn't a major shock.
With Moore out, the Colts are now missing two of their starting three CBs, with Juju Brents on the injured reserve, leaving Jaylon Jones as the only Week 1 starting CB remaining. Last week, the Colts had Samuel Womack and Dallas Flowers split reps as the team's second starting outside CB opposite of Jones. With Moore out, the Colts would like to have veteran Chris Lammons fill in as the starting slot CB, but he has been listed as questionable. If he can't go, I'd expect Womack to slide into the slot and for Dallas Flowers to start outside. And I wouldn't sleep on the team using one of their two practice squad elevations this week on veteran David Long Jr.
Paye being down means the Colts will be without both of their projected starting edge rushers entering the year, with Samson Ebukam already on the IR. And to make things worse, the Colts also listed starter Tyquann Lewis as questionable for Week 4. With Paye out, I expect the team to give Laiatu Latu his season-high snaps. If Lewis can go he would remain a starter for the team, if he cant go I'd assume Dayo Odeyingbo would be Latu's partner in crime for Week 4.
Multiple other Colts starters listed as questionable
On top of ruling Moore and Paye out, the Colts listed four other players as questionable to play in Week 4. Of those four, three are weekly starters: Tyquann Lewis (Edge), Ryan Kelly (C), Braden Smith (RT). Having two offensive linemen's status for the game up in the air is never something you want, but with one of the best NFL pass rushers coming to town this week in T.J. Watt, the timing couldn't be worse.
