Latest Colts injury report: Week 15 Thursday practice

The Indianapolis Colts (7-6) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) Week 15 matchup has enormous playoff implications for the AFC.  This makes this one incredibly important for both teams, and both have important players whose status for Saturday's game are still up in the air.  For the Colts, starters Jonathan Taylor and Braden Smith are in […]

Destin Adams NFL News Writer
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Dec 10, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen walks the sideline at Paycor Stadium.
Bob Scheer-USA TODAY Sports

The Indianapolis Colts (7-6) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) Week 15 matchup has enormous playoff implications for the AFC. 

This makes this one incredibly important for both teams, and both have important players whose status for Saturday's game are still up in the air. 

For the Colts, starters Jonathan Taylor and Braden Smith are in danger of missing this week's game. Both are very important pieces, especially for this matchup. The Colts running game has struggled without Taylor the past two weeks. 

In their Week 14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, they only had 46 total rushing yards, and in Week 13 against the Tennesee Titans, they only had 55. With their backup QB under center, this is not a formula for success, and with or without Taylor, something has to give. 

When it comes to starting RT Braden Smith, his absence would once again mean rookie Blake Freeland is set to be the starter. And he would add yet another elite pass rusher to his rookie season by fire. 

Thursday injury report: 

Questionable: 

  • Segun Olubi

Out: 

  • Jonathan Taylor
  • Braden Smith

As expected, Taylor and Smith have been ruled out after missing all week of practice. The Colts will now turn to backups Zack Moss and Blake Freeland. 

No Designation: 

  • Jaylon Jones
  • Juju Brents
  • DeForest Buckner
  • Will Mallory
  • E.J. Speed
  • Zaire Franklin

While the team's injury report was long, the majority of the group have no designation heading into Week 15. Most notable, of course, is rookie CB Juju Brents, who is returning after missing the past six weeks with a quad injury. We will now likely see the rookie duo of Juju Brents and Jaylon Jones against the Steelers.