Indianapolis veteran defensive end Samson Ebukam sustained a torn Achilles at Sunday’s practice and will miss the entire 2024 season.
The 28-year-old Ebukam enjoyed a career year in 2023, his first with the Colts. He started all 17 regular-season games, producing 57 tackles, 17 QB hits, 10 tackles for loss, a team-best 9.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and one pass broken up.
Fortunately for the Colts, they have as much quality depth on the defensive line as any position on the team. In fact, their 51 sacks last year were the most for the franchise since moving to Indy from Baltimore.
Indy spent its first-round pick on DE Laiatu Latu, making the UCLA product the #15 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. He had 13 sacks and 10 QB hurries for the Bruins last year.
Kwity Paye, the Colts’ first-round pick in 2021, is the other starting DE. Like Ebukam, he’s off his best season as a pro. Paye recorded 52 tackles, nine QB hits, 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
In seven seasons, Ebukam has 281 career tackles, 69 QB hits, 38 TFL’s, 33 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, nine passes broken up, five fumble recoveries, one fumble return for a touchdown and one interception for a TD.
FanDuel has Indy with a season win total of 8.5 (‘under’ -118, ‘over’ -104). The Colts, who have 55/1 odds to win Super Bowl LIX, are 1.5-point home underdogs vs. Houston in Week 1.