The Indianapolis Colts head into Week 12 with a defense that has performed well overall, but the team’s interior defensive line depth has become an area of genuine concern.
With injuries piling up, the Colts are adding some depth on the interior, signing former Baltimore Ravens veteran defensive tackle Chris Wormley to their practice squad. CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz was first to report the signing.
Indy was hardest hit by the loss of All-Pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who is on injured reserve and will be unavailable for several more weeks. His absence is being felt in myriad ways, as Buckner is the centerpiece of the Colts’ interior pass rush, and the player who consistently requires the most attention from opposing offenses.
When Might DeForest Buckner Return to the Colts Lineup After His Neck Injury?
Buckner posted on Instagram that he had gone to a stem cell therapy center as part of his treatment, but his return timetable is yet unknown.
“Yeah, I don’t have anything else to add on that. I know he got that done, and then we’ll see how he progresses here in the next few weeks,” Colts head coach Shane Steichen said on November 17.
Does he expect Buckner to play again this season? “That’s the hope – yeah, absolutely.”
Sans Buckner in the lineup, Neville Gallimore has started five games, including the past three, with Grover Stewart, Adetomiwa Adebawore and Eric Johnson II rounding out the team’s interior depth.
Stewart is the most dependable run defender of the group, but he sees more action on early downs. Gallimore has some burst and quickness, and Adebawore has upside and athleticism, but he’s never had more than 1.5 sacks in a season.
A Closer Look at New Indianapolis Colts DT Signing Chris Wormley
GettyThe Indianapolis Colts signed veteran defensive tackle Chris Wormley to their practice squad.
Wormley, 32, was drafted in the third round by the Ravens in 2017 out of the University of Michigan. He has since played for Baltimore, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Carolina Panthers, appearing in over 80 regular season games and making 31 starts.
Over his career, he has amassed 150 tackles, 11.0 sacks and 10 batted balls. Wormley’s most productive season came in 2021 with Pittsburgh, where he served as a full-time starter and finished with 7.0 sacks, six tackles-for-loss, 10 QB hits and a forced fumble.
Listed near 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds, he’s able to play both interior spots depending on personnel groupings, and his experience playing under two defensive-minded organizations (Baltimore and Pittsburgh) is intriguing.
Colts Face Huge Challenge Week 12 vs. Chiefs
The Colts (8-2) enter Week 12 riding the NFL’s top-scoring offense (32.1 points per game), and they hold a two-game lead in the AFC South.
With the Kansas City Chiefs sitting at 5-5 and currently sitting firmly in third place in the AFC West, they will be coming into this game with a big-time sense of urgency.
“I think you can throw records out the window each and every week,” Steichen said. “Because I think everyone in this league is very good and very talented, and you’ve got to be on your A game no matter what the records are, no matter who you’re playing. We know that Kansas City is a hell of a football team. They went to three straight Super Bowls. … So, we’ve got to be on all the details and the specifics going into this game, especially in the hostile environment this week.”
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Colts Sign Former Steelers Starter Amid Injuries to D-Line appeared first on Heavy Sports.