Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen met reporters on Friday and delivered the club’s final Week 9 injury picture before Sunday’s home game against the Dallas Cowboys. Cornerback Justin Walley (knee) and linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (knee) are out. Steichen said those were the only two rule-outs at the time, answering “yep” when asked to confirm Davis-Gaither. On Saturday the club downgraded safety AJ Haulcy (ankle) to out as well. Asked whether rookie linebacker CJ Allen will wear the green dot in Davis-Gaither’s place, Steichen said, “We will. Yeah, we’re excited for him. He’s been playing good ball. Looking forward to his opportunity again.”
Allen gets the green dot after a 10-tackle debut
Allen made his first career start last week at Jacksonville and led the Colts with 10 tackles. Steichen pointed to that game and to the rookie’s growth as a leader. “Yeah, I think it’s great. He’s shown great progress. Shoot last week, I believe, you know, 10 tackles. I mean, he’s flying around the field. He’s been making great strides from a leadership aspect as well. So I’m really excited for CJ and what he’s doing.” Steichen said the next step is simply playing: “You got to get in there and go play. And obviously, he’s making the most of his opportunity and now he gets a big one this week.” The club said a rotation of other linebackers will work next to Allen.
Walley, Davis-Gaither and the rest of the report
Walley hurt his knee in Week 7 against the Minnesota Vikings and has not practiced or played since. Davis-Gaither did not practice this week. Haulcy first appeared on the Friday report as questionable after a limited session; the Saturday downgrade leaves Indianapolis without that safety as well. Tackle Jalen Travis (thumb, hamstring) was listed as questionable Friday after practicing in full all week. The club also elevated cornerback Johnathan Edwards and safety Trey Washington from the practice squad Saturday, moves noted in our Saturday injury wrap.
Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and a needed win
Steichen turned from the report to Dallas and said he has “a ton of appreciation” for Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. “When I watch his tape, the way he sees the field, the way he commands the field, got a lot of respect for what he’s done in this league for a long time. He’s been doing it at a high level. The rhythm, the anticipation, the timing, the accuracy,” Steichen said, adding that Prescott “keeps his eyes downfield” and “has some playmakers to throw to as well.” On wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, he listed “route fluidity, the route discipline, the separation at the top of routes, in and out of breaks, the contested catches, the speed, the size. I mean, he’s got it all. He’s the full package. He’s one of the best in the business.”
Coming off last week’s 42-7 loss at Jacksonville, Steichen said the week was about the response. “It’s about how we respond, and it’s our next opportunity, and we got to respond the right way.” He added that the Colts “had a good week of preparation” and “a great opportunity to go out and prove it on Sunday,” with the same goal “every time we step out of there”: “go win, and that’s the mindset of our group right now.” Asked what a win would mean with so much other conversation around the team, he said, “Obviously, every time you win, everyone feels a lot better, and so that’s the goal every week, is go out and win and compete at a high level.” Asked whether Anthony Richardson is still the backup quarterback, Steichen said, “Right now, yes.” Kickoff at Lucas Oil Stadium is 1 p.m. ET Sunday, which is 8 p.m. Cairo.
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