INDIANAPOLIS– 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 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 seasons at UCLA.
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