The Colts predictably placed starting right guard Will Fries on injured reserve after his recent tibia surgery, but made an unexpected decision regarding their outside cornerback position.
The Indianapolis Colts announced on Monday that starting right guard Will Fries has been placed on injured reserve after undergoing emergency tibia surgery in Jacksonville the night before.
In a somewhat unexpected roster decision, the Colts also waived third-year cornerback, who had started four games for the team last season before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury. He has struggled to regain his form this year, consistently underperforming in coverage, and was overtaken at outside cornerback by offseason addition Samuel Womack III, especially following starter JuJu Brents’ injury.
Womack’s rise and Flowers’ ongoing difficulties made him expendable, with the Colts likely seeking to bolster their cornerback depth elsewhere. Potential candidates for call-ups from the practice squad include Alex Johnson, Kelvin Joseph, Gregory Junior, David Long, and Jaylin Simpson.
In four games this season, Flowers has recorded nine tackles and a tackle for loss. According to PFF, he has earned a 60.4 overall grade and a 65.7 coverage grade. He’s allowed five receptions on five targets for 111 receiving yards and a touchdown, including an 85-yard score by Jaguars rookie Brian Thomas Jr. in Sunday’s loss, contributing to a perfect passer rating of 158.3 against him across four games.
We have placed G Will Fries on IR and waived CB Dallis Flowers.
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) October 7, 2024
As for Fries, his loss is significant, as he is currently ranked as PFF’s second-best offensive guard with an 86.9 overall grade, just ahead of Colts’ four-time All-Pro Quenton Nelson. The timing is especially unfortunate, as Fries is in a contract year and will now miss at least the next four games. Given the severity of the injury, he could be out even longer.
To fill the gap, the Colts may turn to rookie fourth-round pick Tanor Bortolini, who has started consecutive games and performed well at center for Ryan Kelly. They could also stick with undrafted rookie guard Dalton Tucker, who stepped in at right guard after Fries’ injury and held his own during the remainder of Sunday’s game.
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