Colts Downgrade Two Defensive Starters to OUT vs. Bengals

The Indianapolis Colts have ruled out two important defensive starters ahead of their matchup on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Indianapolis Colts (7-5) travel east on I-74 this weekend to take on a sneaky opponent in the Cincinnati Bengals (6-6), but they're going to have to do it without two key defensive starters in linebacker E.J. Speed and cornerback JuJu Brents.

Following Friday's conclusion of practice, the Colts officially announced that Speed (knee) and Brents (quad) were questionable, but the team then downgraded both players to out on Saturday.  

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. The rookie has played in 5 games total (4 starts) this season and has 24 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovered, 1 interception, and 3 pass breakups

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.

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Speed has played in all 12 games (7 starts) for the Colts this year, totaling 55 tackles (9 for loss), 1.0 sack (2 QB hits), 2 forced fumbles, and 2 pass breakups. He'll likely be subbed for by Segun Olubi and Ronnie Harrison, who have each done some nice things in the latter half of the season.

The Bengals offense features a backup quarterback in Jake Browning, who has started the previous two games for Joe Burrow (Injured Reserve-wrist), going 1-1 in the two contests.

On the season, Cincinnati ranks 22nd offensively (308.3 YPG) and 20th in scoring (20.5 PPG). They are tied for 22nd in most sacks surrendered (33), including giving up 3-plus sacks in 7-of-12 games. The Bengals are last in rushing (82.5 YPG), but 23rd in yards per carry (3.9). On the flip side, they have turned the ball over the least in the NFL (10) and are 8th in red zone scoring (62.5%).

The Colts also announced on Friday that starting right tackle Braden Smith (knee) and running back Jonathan Taylor (thumb) will also be out vs. Cincinnati while cornerback Ameer Speed (hip) is questionable. On the plus side, stud nose tackle Grover Stewart is back.

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