Colts players using the bye to get healthy

The Indianapolis Colts are on bye for Week 11 of the 2023 NFL season.  And for multiple Colts, the bye couldn't have come at a more perfect time, as their bodies have been put through the wringer during the first ten weeks of the season.  Here is a list of all the players and their […]

Destin Adams — NFL News Writer
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Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) looks on before an NFL football matchup Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla.
Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union

The Indianapolis Colts are on bye for Week 11 of the 2023 NFL season. 

And for multiple Colts, the bye couldn't have come at a more perfect time, as their bodies have been put through the wringer during the first ten weeks of the season. 

Here is a list of all the players and their injuries that will finally get a needed break this week. 

Current Injured Colts: 

  • CB Juju Brents (Quad) 

The Colts have been without starting CB Juju Brents for the past three weeks after he went down with an injury during the team's Week 7 matchup with the Cleveland Browns. He's not been able to practice since the injury occurred, and hopefully, that will change when the team comes out of their bye week. 

  • TE Drew Ogletree (Foot)

Other than Brents, TE Drew Ogletree was the only other player ruled out with an injury for the team's Week 10 matchup with the New England Patriots. Ogletree is dealing with a foot injury that had him in a boot last week. He will have the extra week to heal and hopefully be out on the field for the Colts Week 12 matchup with the Buccaneers. 

  • WR Josh Downs (Knee) 

Downs has been dealing with a knee injury for the past two weeks. Though the injury hasn't forced him to miss a game, it has certainly limited the talented rookie. It forced him out of the team's Week 9 matchup with the Carolina Panthers, and the team limited his snaps in Week 10. Downs has been one of the Colts biggest offensive weapons this season, so him getting back to his usual self will be significant for the remainder of the season. 

  • OT Braden Smith (Hip/Wrist)

After missing four games, Smith returned to the field for the Colts Week 10 matchup. An extra week off to get back to 100% will now be his main priority during the bye week, as the Colts will attempt to have their starting offensive line on the field together for back-to-back weeks. 

  • C Ryan Kelly (Concussion) 

The Colts saw starting center Ryan Kelly suffer another concussion in Week 10. This marks his 2nd of the season. He will now get to spend this week recovering, and hopefully, he will be able to return to practice and clear the NFL's concussion protocol next week before the team's Week 12 matchup. 

  • LB Zaire Franklin (Knee) 

Franklin was forced to miss the first game of his NFL career in Week 9 due to a knee injury. It still was affecting him this past week in practice, but he was able to return to the field and had a big day. But he now will get a needed rest, and hopefully, after the bye, he will be able to be refreshed and continue the special season that currently has him leading the NFL in tackles. 

  • TE Jelani Woods (Hamstring) 

The Colts have yet to activate TE Jelani Woods off of IR after he landed on the list after the team cut down to 53. He has missed all 10 of the team's games this season. At one point, HC Shane Steichen seemed optimistic about Woods returning to the field soon, but something took a drastic change, as Steichen now answers questions about Woods' injury with more skepticism about him returning this year. Hopefully, after the bye week, we get more clarity on Woods' situation. Hamstring injuries are known to linger if you don't allow them to heal 100%, so the team could be playing it safe with Woods to ensure this injury doesn't affect him going forward. 

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