Indianapolis Colts Injury Tracker: When players can come back and who's not coming back, updates and more

The Indianapolis Colts have battled multiple injuries throughout the season, and the timeline for their returns to action still seems very much up in the air. So, let's examine every notable injury the Colts are dealing with and consider whether we may see them return to the field any time after the team's bye this week.  […]

Destin Adams — NFL News Writer
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Sep 8, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback JuJu Brents (29) celebrates a stop during the second half against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

The Indianapolis Colts have battled multiple injuries throughout the season, and the timeline for their returns to action still seems very much up in the air. 

So, let's examine every notable injury the Colts are dealing with and consider whether we may see them return to the field any time after the team's bye this week. 

Notable Colts injuries and if they can return this season 

Players on IR with a chance to return: 

Samson Ebukam, Edge

Injury: Torn Achilles
Placed on IR: During Training camp 
Chance to return: Slim but not impossible 

The Colts lost their 2023 sack leader before the season even got started, with Samson Ebukam tearing his Achilles during training camp. They didn't fully close the door on his season, with them electing to use one of their two IR spots in training camp, which gives players the ability to return during the season. I still think it's a long shot, but if they are able to make the playoffs and make a bit of a run, who knows, maybe Ebukam will be ready to run out of the tunnel and log some snaps this season after all. 

Juju Brents, CB

Injury: Knee
Placed on IR: September 10
Chance to return: A coin flip

The Colts' already thin corner room took a big hit early in the season with second-year CB Juju Brents landing on the IR with a knee injury. His status for the rest of the year seems like a legit coin flip, but the fact that he's been seen at practice working out on the side seems like a good sign that there's a legit chance. 

Jaylon Carlies, LB

Injury: Lower Leg
Placed on IR: October 26
Chance to return: Better chance than not

Rookie linebacker Jaylon Carlies was playing like a legit steal for the Colts this season before a lower leg injury suffered in the team's Week 7 win over the Miami Dolphins. Like Brents, Carlies has recently been seen working out on the side during a Colts practice. I'd say Carlies has a much better chance to return than Brents because the team has a lot of faith his injury wasn't season-ending when he was originally placed on the IR. 

Ryan Kelly, C

Injury: Lower Leg
Placed on IR: November 5
Chance to return: Looks like either a Week 15 or 16 return

The Colts have been without their starting center, Ryan Kelly, since after losing to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 9. He's been dealing with multiple injuries this year, but a lower leg injury landed him on the IR and has forced him to miss the past four games. He is now eligible to return after the team's bye in Week 14, but we will have to wait and see if he is able to practice when they return next week. But head coach Shane Steichen seems optimistic that Kelly's return to the field will be in the near future. 

Injured Players that didn't require being placed on IR:

Josh Downs, WR

Injury: Shoulder
When did the injury occur: Week 12
Potential timeline to return to the field: Week 15 or Week 16

The Colts had to play without Josh Downs during their Week 13 win over the New England Patriots. While they were able to come away with the win, Downs has shown this year that the team's passing game is at its best when Downs is the catalyst for it. It doesn't seem like Downs is going to suffer a long-term injury, and the bye week is coming at the perfect time for him and the team to get healthy. My guess is we will see Downs back on the field in either Week 15 or 16, but I lean more towards 15. 

Tanor Bortolini, C/G

Injury: Concussion
When did the injury occur: Week 12
Timeline to return to the field: Week 15

The Colts were down to their third-string center in Week 14 due to rookie Tanor Bortolini landing in the NFL's concussion protocol. He was forced to miss Week 13 and will now have the bye week to get healthy and hopefully clear protocol ahead of the team's big Week 15 matchup against the Denver Broncos. He will either fill in for Kelly as the starting center if he isn't ready, or he will be an option to be the primary backup at center and guard down the stretch. 

Ashton Dulin, WR

Injury: Ankle
When did the injury occur: Week 12
Timeline to return to the field: Week 15 or Week 16

Ashton Dulin may not seem notable enough to some of you reading this to be included in this article, but I strongly disagree. Dulin is an incredible special teams player for the Colts and has shown the ability to make a difference as a depth WR. He has picked up multiple first downs on Jet reverses using his track background. His ankle injury kept him out of practice and the team's matchup with the Patriots. But it doesn't seem to be any real concern that he will have to miss more than he's already missed. 

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