Colts, Bengals Announce Inactives Ahead of Sunday's Matchup
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The Indianapolis Colts (7-5) and Cincinnati Bengals (6-6) face off at Paycor Stadium on Sunday in a matchup of two teams taking things one week at a time and clinging dearly to their postseason lives.
Before the game, the Colts ruled out right tackle Braden Smith (knee) and running back Jonathan Taylor (thumb) on Friday and then downgraded cornerback JuJu Brents (quad) and linebacker E.J. Speed (knee) from questionable to out on Saturday. Defensive back Ameer Speed (hip) also entered the game as questionable but is active.
For the Bengals, no players were ruled out due to injury before the game, but wide receiver Tyler Boyd (ankle), defensive lineman D.J. Reader (back), and offensive tackle D'Ante Smith (personal) entered as questionable. Smith is inactive.
Here are both teams' lists of inactive players.
- IOL Jack Anderson
- CB JuJu Brents (quad)
- DT Eric Johnson II
- DE Isaiah Land
- OT Braden Smith (knee)
- LB E.J. Speed (knee)
- RB Jonathan Taylor (thumb)
This is now the sixth game in a row the Colts will be without Brents, although he returned to practice for the first time this week. Darrell Baker Jr. has started the last four games for Brents and has done well compared to a tumultuous beginning of the season. Since taking back over for Brents, Baker has been targeted 19 times, allowing 10 receptions (52.6%) for 112 yards (11.2 avg.), including just 35 yards after the catch, and 0 touchdowns, according to Pro Football Focus. Baker also has 4 pass breakups, is allowing a passer rating of just 79.7, and has 0 penalties.
Smith will miss his fifth game of the season and once again be replaced by Blake Freeland. The rookie has seen action in 11 games this season, starting 6 and playing 494 snaps on offense (477) and special teams (17). According to PFF, Freeland has a 65.2 grade in run blocking and a 40.4 in pass blocking after allowing 30 QB pressures (26 hurries, 2 hits, 2 sacks). He's also been penalized 4 times.
With Speed out, we'll likely see increased roles from Ronnie Harrison and Segun Olubi. The latter has played in all 12 games, starting 1, and has 15 tackles, 1 fumble recovered, 1 interception, and 1 pass breakup. Harrison was brought up to the active roster from the practice squad two weeks ago and quickly made an impact by picking off Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield. Harrison also has 3 tackles and a pass breakup.
Taylor will now miss his second consecutive game following thumb surgery, which puts Zack Moss back in the forefront. With 867 yards from scrimmage and 6 touchdowns this season while having to start 6 games in Taylor's absence, Moss already established himself as one of the NFL's more productive running backs for 2023.
- RB Chris Evans
- LB Devin Harper
- C Trey Hill
- OT D'Ante Smith
- DT Jay Tufele
The Bengals are in good shape health-wise, not listing any players as inactive due to injury.
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