According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Indianapolis Colts have lost starting defensive end Samson Ebukam for the season due to a torn Achilles sustained during Sunday’s training camp practice.
There were early concerns about the severity of Ebukam’s injury when he appeared to be in significant pain and was carted off the field, unable to return. While head coach Shane Steichen initially described it as a ‘calf injury,’ it has now been confirmed that Ebukam will miss the entire 2024 season.
#Colts veteran DE Samson Ebukam, who went down in practice yesterday, tore his Achilles, source said. His season is over before it began. pic.twitter.com/8AG1r4AP1K
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 29, 2024
Ebukam, a seven-year veteran, had a strong performance last season, recording 57 tackles (39 solo), 10 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, 48 QB pressures, 8 QB hits, a pass defensed, and 3 forced fumbles across all 17 games. He was rated as the 14th highest-graded defensive end by PFF with an overall grade of +84.4, including a +80.0 grade for run defense. Additionally, ESPN noted that he had the 16th highest pass rush win rate (19%) and the 3rd best run stop win rate (35%) among all qualifying edge defenders.
Ebukam was recently recognized as both CBS Sports’ “most under-appreciated” and PFF’s “most underrated” Colt of the offseason.
While this injury is a significant blow, the Colts do have depth at the defensive end. Rookie Laiatu Latu, drafted 15th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, is expected to step up, along with rotational backups like Tyquan Lewis and returning starter Kwity Paye. Latu was initially projected as a pass-rushing specialist, and Lewis, despite a recent calf injury, had a breakout season with 8.0 sacks last year.
Ebukam still has two years remaining on his contract with the Colts, giving him time to rehab and aim for a full recovery before the 2025 season, when he will have an $11 million cap hit.
