Laiatu Latu, the Indianapolis Colts’ promising rookie defensive end and former standout at UCLA, is currently nursing a hip injury he sustained during the Colts’ 16-10 defeat to the Green Bay Packers in Week 2. After missing several important practice sessions this week, Latu is now listed as day-to-day. The Colts are already facing multiple injuries on their defensive line, including key players DeForest Buckner and Samson Ebukam, both currently on injured reserve.
The Colts are struggling defensively, holding the dubious title of the worst run defense in the league, allowing an average of 237 rushing yards per game. Their last two games saw the Packers and Texans exploit this weakness, gaining 261 and 213 rushing yards, respectively. Latu’s potential return is increasingly vital, as he was a key player at UCLA, where he helped the Bruins achieve a second-place national ranking in run defense with just 80.8 yards allowed per game.
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Latu had a distinguished college career, earning unanimous All-American honors and being named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. He made history as the first defensive player taken in the 2024 NFL Draft. Although he has recorded only one tackle and a fumble recovery in his rookie season, expectations for him remain high, with Colts management hopeful he can develop into an All-Pro talent. They expressed relief that his injury wasn’t more serious.
With Latu’s status uncertain for the upcoming game against the Chicago Bears, the urgency for his recovery is increasing as the Colts seek to turn their 0-2 season around, making every game critical.
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