Samson

Ebukam

Lewis is a bit of a surprise scratch after logging full practices in back-to-back days to close out the week and drawing a questionable tag, but everything else is as we expected. The Colts are operating at near full strength ahead of Sunday’s AFC showdown with the 4-3 Steelers.

According to Fowler, Ebukam is seeking a second opinion, but it doesn’t sound like he’ll be on track to play any time in the coming weeks. The 30-year-old pass rusher was injured in Sunday’s win over the Chargers, and has tallied two sacks and 14 tackles this season.

Ebukam got hurt in the second half. He attempted to walk it off, momentarily, but was visibly limping. He sat down on the field and awaited assistance from the Colts’ training staff. He was ruled out shortly thereafter. Colts fellow EDGE Tyquan Lewis (groin) is questionable to return.

Ebukam spent the 2024 season on injured reserve after rupturing his Achilles tendon in training camp. The Colts have not yet provided an update on his back injury. Ebukam posted career highs in tackles (34), quarterback pressures (48) and sacks (10) in his first season with the Colts, back in 2023.

Ebukam suffered a torn Achilles in training camp last year and did not play in the 2024 season. He broke out in 2023 with a career-high 9.5 sacks in his first season with the Colts. He now has one year left on his deal and will be looking for a rebound season as he stares down free agency in 2026

Ebukam didn’t play in 2024 after suffering a torn Achilles in training camp. His release would clear up $7.5 million in cap space for the Colts, and Ebukam turns 30 in May. Ebukam had 9.5 sacks in 2023 and would be an intriguing veteran addition for some team’s defensive line room as long as his rehabilitation goes well.

It’s a brutal outcome for Ebukam, who joined the Colts last season and immediately turned in a career year. The eight-year vet totaled career highs in tackles (57), TFLs (10), and sacks (9.5) while starting all 17 games he appeared in. Ebukam, 29, has 33 career sacks to his name and was expected to build on his breakout campaign from last season in his second year with the Colts.

Ebukam completed a two-year, $12 million deal with the 49ers and had 9.5 sacks over that timespan as a rotational rusher. He played 51% of the snaps in 2022 and 59% in 2023. We’re guessing the maximum value of the contract is probably a smidge higher than the actual total value of the deal. Ebukam will probably again profile as a rotational pass rusher next to Kwity Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo.

The deal can reach up to $13.5 million with incentives. It’s a startling number for the 25-year-old, who was primarily used as an EDGE rusher in collecting 14 sacks across four seasons in Los Angeles. He’ll continue to be used as a rotational player on passing downs with the Niners.

Ebukam hasn’t missed a game since being a fourth-round pick in 2017. He has just five sacks through two seasons after being drafted as a favorite of DC Wade Phillips. The Rams re-signed OLB Dante Fowler and gave edge rusher Clay Matthews a two-year deal this week. The two of them and Ebukam figure to form the Rams’ main trio off the edge this year.