The Indianapolis Colts made minimal additions to the linebacker position during the offseason after losing E.J. Speed to the Houston Texans. The front office brought in only Joe Bachie and Jacob Phillips. However, neither player is likely to start, as Bachie is more of a special-teams player with two career starts, while Phillips has eight career starts but hasn’t played since 2022.
The Colts must count on a late-round pick.
Indianapolis Colts’ fifth-round pick had a role as a rookie
Indianapolis Colts, Jaylon Carlies
Oct 6, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Indianapolis Colts linebacker Jaylon Carlies (57) looks on after a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Jaylon Carlies played a sizeable role during his rookie season, serving as the third linebacker, starting six games, but missed time with injuries. He recorded 36 tackles, two TFLs, one sack, and one pass deflection in ten games and 242 snaps. Carlies missed Weeks 8-15 with a broken fibula and a shoulder injury that required offseason surgery, causing him to miss OTAs and mandatory minicamp.
Also Read: “Back by Training Camp”: Indianapolis Colts Tackling Machine Underwent Surgery
Indianapolis Colts’ sleeper poised to tackle bigger role in 2025
Indianapolis Colts, Jaylon Carlies
Jan 5, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Luke Farrell (89) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts linebacker Jaylon Carlies (57) during the first quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
With Jaylon Carlies expected to return for the start of training camp, he is the frontrunner to start as the LB2 alongside Zaire Franklin against minimal competition. According to Joel A. Erickson of The Indy Star, the former fifth-round pick who played safety in college, believes he fits well in Lou Anarumo’s scheme, which will utilize his coverage ability. Erickson notes that Anarumo prefers players like Carlies, who can cover on obvious passing downs.
“His background as a college defensive back might make Carlies an even better fit in Anarumo’s,” Erickson said. “Anarumo prefers to put players on the field on third down who can be an asset in coverage.”
The GM has confidence in the young linebacker
Indianapolis Colts, Chris Ballard
Feb 28, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard talks to the media at the 2024 NFL Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
“We think a lot of JC,” Chris Ballard said, via the team’s website. “We’ve had a lot of success at linebacker, I believe, with drafting and players we’ve brought in that we think can ascend. We think JC can really ascend. We have some young players that we like and then we got the draft. We’ll work through it.”
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