It has been a great start to the season for the Indianapolis Colts, and fans are beginning to believe in their potential. However, the team has encountered a setback, as pass rusher Samson Ebukam is expected to miss several games due to an MCL injury. According to a post on X by Jeremy Fowler, Ebukam is currently seeking a second opinion.

“Colts pass rusher Samson Ebukam is expected to miss multiple weeks with an MCL injury, per sources. Ebukam, who has two sacks this season, is getting a second opinion,” Fowler reported.

The Colts boast an impressive 6-1 record this season and look like one of the NFL’s best teams — largely thanks to their explosive offense and the standout play of Jonathan Taylor. However, injuries on the defensive side could hamper their chances of maintaining elite status this year.

### Colts’ Defense Taking a Hit from Injuries

The Colts have already lost linebacker Tyquan Lewis, who suffered an injury in Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Shortly after, Ebukam also had to leave the game. Lewis has contributed three sacks and four tackles for loss this season, while Ebukam led the Colts with 9.5 sacks in 2023 before missing the start of the 2024 season due to an Achilles injury.

Despite limited availability this year, Ebukam has added 10 total tackles, three tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, and 18 pressures — proving to be a vital part of the Colts’ defense.

### Defensive Standouts Shine Despite Challenges

Even with these injuries, the Colts managed a solid 38-24 victory over the Chargers. A pivotal moment came just before halftime when safety Nick Cross intercepted a pass, swinging momentum in Indianapolis’ favor.

“That’s the type of play our defense needed,” linebacker Zaire Franklin said. “Nick’s having a great year. He made a big play in a big-time moment, like we expect him to.”

Safety Cam Bynum also spoke about the impact of turnovers. “Just being able to turn the ball over, first and foremost, that’s always going to lead us closer to wins. Also, us not having the greatest game leading up to it but when we need it, the best players play well and make plays,” Bynum explained.

### Pass Rush Remains Strong

Despite the absence and injuries among key defenders, the Colts’ pass rush remained effective. Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner recorded two crucial sacks late in the game.

“It was definitely big, especially in that last drive, in critical moments,” Buckner said. “As a rusher and a player, you want your best players to make those plays in big-time moments, and I was able to do that today. Shout out to the rest of the guys doing their job and the back end holding up and allowing me to have time to get there.”

### Looking Ahead

While the Colts’ defense faces challenges, the team’s resilience and key contributions from remaining players offer hope that they can continue their strong start. Keeping their defensive core healthy will be vital if the Colts want to sustain their quest as one of the NFL’s top teams this season.
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