Colts Trio Has Stepped Up Big

With so many injuries to the Indianapolis Colts roster in 2024, multiple players have risen to the occasion.

Oct 13, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Samuel Womack III (33) during pregame warmups against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images / Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

The Indianapolis Colts haven't had the healthiest 2024 through six games, with a laundry list of injuries in prominent positions like cornerback (JuJu Brents), offensive line (Will Fries), and running back (Jonathan Taylor). However, despite these setbacks to such important players, Indianapolis is 3-3 and has received a fantastic boost from three names who have stepped up when it's mattered most.

Dalton Tucker | Offensive Guard

Oct 6, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Indianapolis Colts guard Dalton Tucker (68) warms up before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

After losing Fries for the rest of the year to a tibia injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars, rookie undrafted guard Dalton Tucker was the next man up. The shoes of Fries weren't going to be easy to fill, as the four-year pro was playing the best football of his career. But Tucker has plugged right in where Fries left off and has played well as a reserve.

Really promising first game from Dalton Tucker. He should be the starting right guard for the rest of the season.

Will go through some rough patches I'm sure, but he's got legit starter traits and flashes so far pic.twitter.com/7lOW6XSjYN

— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) October 8, 2024

Per Pro Football Focus, Tucker has blocking grades of 64.1 overall, 61.2 pass, and 62.7 run. While these aren't earth-shattering metrics, Tucker is a rookie finding his way in the NFL. Another positive for the former Thundering Herd lineman is he's allowed 0 sacks through 95 snaps taken. For now, Tucker is the starting right guard and will be relied upon to be a rock until further notice.

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Samuel Womack III | Cornerback

Sep 29, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) misses a pass thanks to coverage from Indianapolis Colts cornerback Samuel Womack III (33) during the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images / Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

After being claimed off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers, cornerback Samuel Womack III has established himself as arguably the best cover cornerback for Indianapolis. Per Pro Football Focus, Womack ranks the following out of 186 eligible NFL cornerbacks: 87.0 overall defensive grade (fourth), 79.9 run defense grade (14th), and 85.9 coverage grade (fifth); all on 189 total snaps. In short, Womack has been a machine for Indy's defense since being signed.

Really nice close coming downhill from Samuel Womack after the Colts shift to cover 2 pic.twitter.com/PocfEczDar

— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) October 14, 2024

But Womack will be tested mightily by the Miami Dolphins in week seven with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Despite quarterback struggles in Miami, these two receivers can embarrass even the best cornerbacks in the league. We'll see if Womack continues playing lights-out football against one of the best receiving tandems in the NFL.

Tyler Goodson | Running Back

Indianapolis Colts running back Tyler Goodson (31) runs against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of their game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. / Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Colts' running attack hasn't been as impactful without Taylor in the backfield. However, while Trey Sermon has struggled to generate explosive plays and help shake defenses, Tyler Goodson has excelled. Goodson has seen nearly all his 2024 action in the past two weeks, accumulating 77 rushing yards on 13 carries for a healthy 5.9-yard average. He's also caught 8 passes for 47 receiving yards and 4 total first downs.

Sermon has been bad, notching just 91 yards rushing on 37 attempts for a 2.5 average in 2024. While Sermon has 2 scores, his average is unacceptable behind the Colts' caliber of offensive line. We'll see if Shane Steichen decides to ride the hot hand of Goodson against the Dolphins, or if it's more of the same with Sermon taking the bulk of the carries.

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