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The Colts don’t have a lot of depth at the linebacker position. Over the past couple of years this team has fielded one of the worst linebacker units in the league. Chris Ballard has invested free agents and draft picks into the position, but an injury may slow the development of the starting group.
Anthony Walker, who missed 8 games last season due to injury, has been getting the majority of the reps with the first team at the MIKE linebacker position. His play had improved steadily toward the end of the 2017 season, and many were hopeful that he would offer significant improvement in the middle of the defense. Unfortunately, during Sunday night’s practice, Walker sustained a groin injury that coach Frank Reich says will keep him out “a few weeks.”
Frank Reich said Anthony Walker will be out “a few weeks” with his groin injury. Skai Moore has made “a good impression” with his opportunities.#Colts
— George Bremer (@gmbremer) July 31, 2018
This is devastating news for Walker, who the Colts seem to like and whose intelligence and instincts are needed in a very thin group. In his place, rookie undrafted free agent Skai Moore saw the first team reps at MIKE in this morning’s practice.
Moore looked solid during OTAs and was a player many thought would go in the 5th or 6th round of the draft. When he went undrafted, the Colts snatched him up. Now he will have the perfect opportunity to prove he belongs, and to make a name for himself while Walker works to get back to playing shape.
The prospect of beginning the season with the likelihood of having two of their three starting linebackers being rookies is a bit unnerving, but that very well might be the situation the Colts find themselves in come the season opener.