Latest news with #Ebukam
USA Today
07-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Indianapolis Colts' DE Samson Ebukam provides update on Achilles injury
Indianapolis Colts' DE Samson Ebukam provides update on Achilles injury Indianapolis Colts' DE Samson Ebukam provided an update on his Achilles injury. Indianapolis Colts' defensive end Samson Ebukam met with reporters on Wednesday and provided an injury update as he continues to work his way back from an Achilles injury. According to Joel Erickson of the Indy Star, Ebukam says that he will be in a "great spot" by the end of OTAs and expects to be cleared for training camp. Ebukam suffered an Achilles injury in late July last summer at the start of training camp. Initially, there were conversations about a potential return for him late in the season, but even if the Colts had made the playoffs, Ebukam said that never became a real possibility. During Ebukam's first season with the Colts in 2023, he led the team in sacks with 9.5, and his 48 pressures were the second-most behind only DeForest Buckner. Earlier this offseason, GM Chris Ballard mentioned that the defense missed Ebukam's physicality, energy, and toughness. Once back in the mix, Ebukam will rejoin a Colts' defensive end rotation that includes Laiatu Latu, Kwity Paye, and second-round pick JT Tuimoloau. Without Dayo Odeyingbo, the Colts are losing their top-pressure getter from the 2024 season. Replacing that production will be a group effort, but a Year 2 jump from Latu and the return of Ebukam will be key factors in that equation. There is, however, some uncertainty around what to expect from Ebukam. Typically, an Achilles injury can be one that takes a full season before a player returns to their original form. "It's a concern, absolutely," Ballard said of Ebukam coming off the Achilles' injury via the team site. "But when you know who the kid is and what he stands for and the effort he puts into everything, I'm willing to make that bet. We missed his physicality. Undeniably, we missed what Samson brought a year ago."
USA Today
02-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Chris Ballard: Colts missed Samson Ebukam's physicality, energy, toughness
Chris Ballard: Colts missed Samson Ebukam's physicality, energy, toughness Chris Ballard acknowledged uknowns with Samson Ebukam's return from injury, but the defense greatly missed his presence in 2024. On the outside, it was thought that Indianapolis Colts' defensive end Samson Ebukam could have been a cut candidate this offseason. Moving on from Ebukam, who missed the 2024 season with an Achilles injury, would have saved the Colts $6.49 million in cap savings for the 2025 season. But with Dayo Odeyingbo leaving for Chicago in free agency, GM Chris Ballard didn't want to lose another potential key contributor in the defensive end room. In 2023 with the Colts, Ebukam tallied 48 pressures, according to PFF, and 9.5 sacks, which led the team. As Ballard acknowledged recently, however, there is an unknown when it comes to what to expect from Ebukam this season. Achilles injuries can often take a full year from the point a player returns to action for them to regain their previous form. "It's a concern, absolutely," Ballard said of Ebukam coming off the Achilles' injury via the team site. "But when you know who the kid is and what he stands for and the effort he puts into everything, I'm willing to make that bet. We missed his physicality. Undeniably, we missed what Samson brought a year ago." That physicality that Ebukam brings goes beyond impacting the game as a pass rusher, but at defensive end that play style helps to set edges in the running game, which can then funnel the ball carrier back towards the middle. Odeyingbo led the Colts in pressures last season and played 745 defensive snaps. That's a lot of production and playing time to replace. Likely, no one player is going to make up for that, but it'll be a group effort. Also helping the Colts' defensive front out from a production standpoint should be the addition of Lou Anarumo and his defensive scheme. One of the reasons that the Colts ranked in the bottom third in sacks and pressure rate in 2024 was that opposing offenses picked the defense apart with the quick passing game, making it difficult for the front to get home. Anarumo's more aggressive defense would create more opportunities to get home. "Whether he's a 10-sack guy again or not, I can't judge that," added Ballard about Ebukam. "But in terms of energy, toughness and what he brings every day, absolutely I think he could be that."
USA Today
26-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Did Chris Ballard hint at Samson Ebukam returning to Colts for 2025 season?
Did Chris Ballard hint at Samson Ebukam returning to Colts for 2025 season? Is Indianapolis Colts' defensive end Samson Ebukam a potential cut candidate this offseason, or will he be back for the 2025 season? On Tuesday, while meeting with reporters at the NFL Combine, it sounded like GM Chris Ballard hinted at Ebukam sticking around. 'It'd be good to get Samson (Ebukam) back," Ballard said. "He's been doing great work in terms of rehab and coming back." Ebukam missed the 2024 season after suffering an Achilles injury. It's not uncommon with this injury that it can take a player a full season to truly regain his past form. That factor, coupled with the Colts being able to save $7.49 million in cap space by releasing him, is what makes Ebukam a potential cut candidate this offseason. During the 2023 season, however, Ebukam was highly productive. He finished second on the Colts in pressures--trailing only DeForest Buckner--and he also led the team in sacks with 9.5 that year. It's possible that the Colts' depth at defensive end could take a real hit this offseason with the uncertainty around Dayo Odeyingbo's future as a free agent and if the team were to move on from Ebukam. The Colts' top pressure producers at defensive end the last two seasons (Ebukam in 2023 and Odeyingbo in 2024) potentially playing elsewhere in 2025 could be too much to overcome at that position, resulting in the Colts hanging on to Ebukam for the final year of his deal. One other alternative could be the Colts asking Ebukam to take a pay cut, which would help lower his cap hit. Of course, this is all just speculation at this time and trying to read between the lines. But Ballard's response didn't give the impression that moving on might be in the cards.
