Colts Place DE Arden Key On IR

Indianapolis lost defensive ends Kwity Paye and Samson Ebukam in free agency, leading the team to make multiyear investments in Key (two years, $16MM) and Micheal Clemons (three years, $17MM). Thanks in part to health issues, neither move has worked out so far. Clemons, an ex-Jet, went without a tackle in the Colts’ first two games and then landed on IR with a toe injury. He will miss at least two more games, while Key will sit out a minimum of four.

Clemons has logged a meager 14.29% defensive snap share this year, but the 2-2 Colts have heavily relied on Key. He started in each of their first four games and posted a 64.29% snap share, trailing only DeForest Buckner and Laiatu Latu among Colts D-linemen. Key has tallied eight tackles, three quarterback hits and a half-sack so far. The 30-year-old journeyman entered the season riding a streak of five straight years with at least 11 QB hits and four sacks, but he will now miss at least four games for the second consecutive year. As a member of the Titans last season, he logged five absences because of quad and hip injuries.

With Key and Clemons unavailable, the Colts are down to Latu, JT Tuimoloau, George Gumbs Jr. and Caden Curry at defensive end as they prepare to face the Steelers in a battle of .500 teams on Sunday. Latu is the lone member of the group with a sack, and he has only picked up one after tallying 8.5 in 2025.

Westbrook-Ikhine’s elevation is already his third, which is the maximum allowed for a practice squad player. If the Colts want to use Westbrook-Ikhine beyond this week, they will have to sign him to their active roster. He played just 12 snaps and didn’t record a catch in his first two appearances, but the Colts are desperate for depth at receiver. Alec Pierce (who is on IR), Darius Slayton and Ashton Dulin are all out for Week 5, and Keenan Allen is questionable with a groin injury.