BREAKING NEWS: The Indianapolis Colts have Placed their Starting Safety on Injured Reserve

Julian Blackmon started his first three years in the NFL as a free safety. He switched to strong safety during the offseason and has done a good job at his new position this year. He has 88 tackles, five for a loss, four interceptions, and eight pass deflections. He went 28/46 for 331 yards and a 46.6 passer rating in coverage.

Blackmon is enjoying his new position:

“It’s more productive, honestly. You have to really tune in on your keys. I think that’s the biggest thing that’s a difference. At free safety, it’s more instinctual whereas at strong, it’s much more vocal. I just have to pay attention to my keys and understand what I’m supposed to be looking at pre-snap and I’ll be good from there.”

Who will be his replacement?

Indianapolis will have to rely on Nick Cross. Cross practiced at three different positions during training camp. He practiced as the team’s backup nickel, backup-free, and backup-strong safety.

Cross has appeared in every game and hasn’t started this season. He has 26 tackles, one for a loss, one interception, and two pass deflections, representing 16% of defensive snaps.

Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley has been impressed with Cross’ improvements:

“Nick, through practice earlier in the year, has shown marked improvement. His concentration level, his endurance from Play 1 to Play 70, has shown he can concentrate and play at a high level through the whole game, and that was when we were like, ‘We’ve got to find a way to get him on the field.'”

Who is the other starting safety?

Rodney Thomas II is the other starter on the team. Thomas II has started every game this season, recording 34 tackles, two interceptions, and four pass deflections, representing 92% of defensive snaps. He is 14/24 for 285 yards and two touchdowns with a 93.2 passer rating allowed in coverage.

Will the Indianapolis Colts make the playoffs?

The Indianapolis Colts are second in the AFC South with an 8-7 record and are currently seventh in the AFC Playoff Picture. They play at home against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 17 and at home against the Houston Texans in their regular season finale.

Winning out doesn’t guarantee a playoff spot. Here’s how they can make the playoffs.

What now for Julian Blackmon?

Julian Blackmon is in the last year of his rookie contract and will be an unrestricted free agent during the 2024 offseason. Will he re-sign with Indianapolis, or test the free agent market?

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