Colts DE Kemoko Turay Could Be Activated Off of PUP this Week, But Expected to be a Few Weeks Away from Playing on Gamedays

According to The Athletic’s Zak Keefer, Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich said on Monday that while Kemoko Turay could return to team practice this week, the young pass rusher is probably still at least a few weeks away from being active on gamedays:

After suffering a season-ending ankle injury in Week 4 of last season, Turay is eligible to be activated off of PUP this week, but the Colts want to give him at least a few weeks of practice time as a precaution before he’s deemed ‘game ready’.

Turay still had pain in his surgically repaired ankle in early September, but it appears he’s inching closer to a return—as he’s continued to progress in his rehabilitation.

His return could be a big lift for a Colts defensive line that already features All-Pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and standout veteran pass rusher Justin Houston among others.

Per PFF (subscription), Turay was their 3rd highest graded pass rusher during 2019 with a +91.0 pass rushing grade—albeit in limited action. He had 2 sacks and 14 total QB pressures in 69 total pass rushing snaps during 2019 before his season was unfortunately cut short.

Per Keefer, it looks like the earliest that Colts fans may reasonably see Turay is Week 10 (November 12th) on the road against the Tennessee Titans (5-1)—which is shaping up to be a pivotal divisional game for potential control of the AFC South.

Turay would assuredly be on a ‘pass rushing pitch count’ though as a rotational defensive lineman, as he works to get back into both game form and from a conditioning standpoint.

Currently, the Colts rank 19th with 13.0 sacks on the season, so Turay could theoretically provide the team an impact speed rusher off the edge—if fully healthy and recovered.