Indianapolis Colts Receive Brutal Injury News on Key Defender

The Indianapolis Colts will be without starting defensive end Arden Key for a while after a hamstring injury suffered in London.

Key was hurt during Sunday’s 30-13 win over the Washington Commanders. After the team returned to the United States, doctors determined the injury was more than minor.

“He’s going to miss some time,” head coach Shane Steichen said.

The club has not yet decided to place the 30-year-old on injured reserve. That designation would force him to miss a minimum of four games.

Key joined Indianapolis in the offseason on a deal expected to bring a rotational role. The plan shifted after the Colts missed on free agent Trey Hendrickson and Jaylahn Tuimoloau did not lock down a starting spot.

He has started all four games and played 171 defensive snaps, second on the defensive line only to Laiatu Latu among ends.

In those starts Key has eight tackles, including three solo, a half-sack, a forced fumble and three quarterback hits. Pro Football Focus lists him with an overall grade of 61.5 and a pass-rush grade of 68.7.

Through three games he had already logged 10 quarterback pressures, second on the team and tied for 20th among defensive ends league-wide.

The edge group as a whole has managed only 1.5 sacks in four games. Defensive tackles DeForest Buckner and Adetomiwa Adebawore have combined for 6.5 sacks, and nickel Justin Walley recorded the first sack of his career on Sunday.

Indianapolis has nine sacks as a team and ranks 29th in ESPN’s pass-rush win rate after four weeks. The defense sits at 2-2 heading into Week 5.

Micheal Clemons, another free agent addition up front, has already been on injured reserve for two weeks with a toe injury.

“We’ll work through that,” Steichen said. “Obviously, (Caden) Curry’s been playing in there, (Tuimoloau) is in there. We’ll see how the week goes with (George) Gumbs, possibly. We’ll work through that this week.”

Tuimoloau, the 2025 second-round pick, has played 112 snaps with seven tackles, one quarterback hit and no sacks. Rookie Caden Curry has 34 defensive snaps and has done most of his work on special teams. George Gumbs has been inactive for the first four games.

The Colts recently brought in Carl Lawson, Preston Smith and David Ojabo for tryouts. Undrafted rookie Mitchell Melton remains on the practice squad.

Key has been ruled out for Sunday’s game at Pittsburgh.