After undergoing knee surgery earlier this month, Colts defensive end Jabaal Sheard could potentially miss regular season action, according to Joel Erickson of the Indianapolis Star.
Sheard experienced soreness and swelling in his knee on the first day of Indianapolis’ training camp and subsequently underwent the procedure. Head coach Frank Reich said it’s too early to definitively say Sheard will miss regular season games, but admitted it’s a possibility.
“If it does (cause him to miss time), Jabaal’s the kind of guy that you know he’s the ultimate pro, he’s going to do whatever it takes,” Reich said. “But because he’s had the procedure on his knee, we’ve just got to take it slow and be cautious and make sure that we have Jabaal for the long haul.”
Sheard, 30, played the most snaps (813) of any Colts defensive lineman in 2018, racking up 5.5 sacks and 13 quarterback hits in the process. Pro Football Focus graded him as the No. 36 edge defender in the NFL, the highest ranking of any Indianapolis pass rusher last season. Sheard, who joined the Colts in 2017, is entering the final season of a three-year, $25.5MM contract.
Al-Quadin Muhammad has soaked up most of Sheard’s snaps during training camp, but other players could also see more action. Kemoko Turay, rookie Ben Banogu, or even nose tackle Margus Hunt could see snaps along the edge, according to Erickson.
I don’t know who is going to win the South. I think Houston will fizzle out and have a new HC next season. Titans are always 7-9 wins but that’s about it. I’m still not sold on Mariota as a QB.
Jags are opening w/ a QB that has been nothing more than a BU for his entire career and a bunch of mad players on D. The Colts have their medical issues w/ Luck. Who knows, but shaping up to be a boring title run in my estimation.
Ironically the AFC South was the only division with 3 teams ranked in the top 12 in net scoring efficiency last season (Texans 5th, Colts 9th, Titans 11th). I think the AFC East would be a much more boring division where all of the Patriots opponents ranked 23rd or worse in net scoring efficiency last season.
Who do you like in the South then? I really do think its a crapshoot between the teams. That is if Luck can’t play full strength or for all games. I like Watson in Houston, but not the line or RB’s.
I would go with the colts honestly assuming luck is healthy and his calf injury isn’t serious like you said. But I think luck being healthy is a safer bet than the Other teams out playing them. Say luck is hurt, brisset “could” be a solid starter as long as he doesn’t turn the ball over, the rest of the team could still arguably be just as good as the other teams in the division.