Opportunity rises for young Colts players to prove they can make an impact for the team with the trade deadline looming

Jaylon Jones and JT Tuimoloau have the chance to show they can provide a spark

The Colts get a significant boost to their secondary this week as Jaylon Jones makes his return to the field after landing on the IR following Week 1. Jones has started 27 games over his first two years with the team. But it's still uncertain whether or not he will be a full-time starter for the team when the CB room is fully healthy. Multiple reports suggest that the Colts want to improve their defense before Tuesday's NFL trade deadline. Today will give Jones the chance to prove he can fill the team's need at CB, and an outside move at the position isn't necessary. 

Today, two of the Colts' rotational edge rushers are Samson Ebukam and Tyquan Lewis. This allows rookie JT Tuimoloau to show he is ready for a bigger role on the team's defense. The Colts' 2025 second-round pick has had a minimal role so far during his rookie season and has even been a healthy scratch in multiple games. I think he is coming off his best game of the year in the team's win vs. the Tennessee Titans. Hopefully, he can build off that and put up another good showing, which could force the team to remove the training wheels they've put on him through eight weeks.

Steelers Week 9 inactives

• Scotty Miller, WR
• Chuck Clark, S
• Jabrill Peppers, S
• Cole Holcomb, LB
• Andrus Peat, G
• Logan Lee, DT