Samson Ebukam, coming off a career-year in 2023, had high hopes for the 2024 season.
He won’t be able to reach those goals for himself and the Indianapolis Colts this season. The defensive end, who led the team in sacks in 2023, suffered a torn Achilles tendon during a training camp session on Sunday and is expected to miss the entire season, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport.
The loss a major blow to the Colts’ defense, which was expected to be one of the best units in the NFL in 2024. Ebukam led the Colts with 9.5 sacks during his first season with the team in 2023. Ebukam also had 57 combined tackles, 17 quarterback hits and three forced fumbles in what was a career year.
The Colts posted 51 sacks in 2023, the most since the franchise relocated to Indianapolis in 1984. The Colts were the only team with four players who posted at least eight sacks in 2023. Some preseason predictions have the Colts approaching 60 sacks in 2024, which would eclipse the franchise record of 59 sacks by the 1969 Baltimore Colts. They’ll have to do it without Ebukam.
The defensive line’s depth is one of the strengths of the team, but it will be tested with the loss of Ebukam. They have DeForest Buckner, who posted eight sacks and Kwity Paye, who registered a career-high 8.5 sacks in 2023. Laiatu Latu, the team’s first-round pick (No. 15) and the first defensive player selected in the 2024 draft, will likely take the place of Ebukam.
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