An already weak cornerback group in Indianapolis just got weaker.
The Colts have announced that starting CB JuJu Brents will be placed on injured reserve. This is due to an apparent knee injury, according to reports. There is a chance he can return in late December, possibly in time for a playoff run, but they won’t know for sure until after surgery.
It’s a frustrating outcome for the 24-year-old. He battled numerous ailments his rookie season and missed time in preseason with a nose injury. And while his time on the field has been slim, he has impressed when he has played. In 10 career games, the former second-round pick has logged an interception and six passes defended to go along with 50 tackles.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard was already taking a gamble on the cornerback position when he decided to keep just five players on his initial 53-man roster with a combined 11 seasons between them, with seven belonging to veteran Kenny Moore II.
That risk was contingent on the young players getting more experience this season.
“They don’t become players without playing,” Ballard said back in August as he remained bullishly confident in his selections.
Now, there’s a real possibility that Brents will not see the field again until 2025.
The injury leaves just four healthy cornerbacks on the roster. Outside of Moore II, there is little top-level experience between them. Dallis Flowers, who’s coming off his own season-ending injury suffered last season, has the most starting experience with five games and should be the favorite to replace Brents, rejoining the starting lineup with Moore II and Jaylon Jones.
Indy also has four other corners on the practice squad, including their most recent addition, veteran David Long Jr. And while Ballard seldom makes significant moves during the season, an external transaction is always something he will consider.
“The roster is always flexible, especially in the first month of the season,” Ballard said in August.
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