It’s a tough way to go… a football season ending before it’s even started, but Colts defensive end Samson Ebukam appears to have been lost for the entire 2024 campaign, having torn an Achilles tendon in training camp practice Sunday. He’d been expected to be a key defender this season, after racking up the most quarterback sacks on the team, 9 ½, last year. Coach Shane Steichen confirmed it to reporters at camp today, saying in these words, “that’s a tough break for us. What a great competitor he is. The sacks he had last year, and he was just continuing in the right direction. So a big blow there.”
Steichen and GM Chris Ballard had stocked the roster with lots of defensive linemen, so they should be able to replace Ebukam relatively easily, but they really liked his style of play. Analysts say his departure could also accelerate the move of rookie Laiatu Latu into some playing time. He was a strong pass rusher his last 2 season at UCLA.
Some baseball analysts say the San Diego Padres have dramatically elevated the quality of their bullpen, acquiring lefty Tanner Scott and right-handed Batesville native Bryan Hoeing from the Marlins at the trade deadline, along with left-hander Martin Perez from the Pirates, to put next to setup man Jeremiah Estrada and All-Star closer Robert Suarez. The trade was initially reported by our Rob Lafary, writing for tomorrow’s Versailles Republican. In 16 games for Miami including 2 starts, Hoeing’s gone 1 & 2 this season, with an ERA of only 2.7, 1.5 as a reliever. Eleven of his 16 appearances have had him holding teams scoreless. No word on just how soon Bryan will be seen in the Padres’ brown and gold.
The Reds wrap up July finishing their home series against the Cubs tonight, looking for a 3rd straight win. It’ll be lefty Nick Lodolo on the mound with a 3.45 ERA for Cincy, right-hander Kyle Hendricks with a 6.95 for Chicago. Join us for the broadcast at 6:40 tonight, on the Sports Voice, 103.9 WRBI.
Here’s what some Indiana Olympians are up to today…
Carmel men’s swimmer Alex Shackell competed in the 200-meter butterfly, with the 5th fastest time in a heat, good enough to advance him to the semi-finals. Also, IU grad swimmer Lilly King from Evansville is in the 200 women’s breaststroke semis. Monday, she missed out on a medal in the 100-meter version of that stroke by the narrowest margin, one 1-hundredth of a second, ending up tied for 4th place.
Also in the pool, Notre Dame’s Chris Giuliano swims in the men’s 100-meter freestyle final today. Current IU student Josh Matheny will swim the 200-meter breaststroke final.
IU grad Jessica Parratto came up just short of winning her 2nd Olympic medal, finishing 6th with partner Delaney Schnell in synchronized 10-meter platform diving– they’d won silver in Tokyo.
US women’s volleyballer Annie Drews was born in Muncie, lives in Elkhart, and went to Purdue. She scored the most points, 29, against China Monday. Her squad took on Serbia today, no final score yet.
Fort Wayne native Canyon Barry, son of Rick Barry, competes in 3 on 3 men’s basketball.
Also, Rajiv Ram of Carmel and Austin Krajicek face a Spanish pair in men’s doubles tennis, and Tyrese Haliburton of the Pacers will be with US men’s basketball tonight as they take on South Sudan.