On the special teams unit, the Indianapolis Colts have a few starting spots up for grabs and quite a few snaps to replace.
Not to be forgotten about is the special teams unit, where the Indianapolis Colts have a few starting spots up for grabs and quite a few snaps to replace.
No longer on the team are Grant Stuard and Kylen Granson, both of whom signed elsewhere in free agency, while Trevor Denbow is still recovering from a knee injury.
Stuard has been a core special teams contributor with the Colts for a few seasons and finished second on the team in snaps last season. Granson would finish fourth in snaps, and Denbow was also a regular contributor. All three players played across multiple phases as well.
Of the Colts’ top 10 players in special teams snaps during the 2024 season, six will be returning.
“We’re going to have a number of guys that we’re looking to replace,” said special teams coordinator Brian Mason. “Grant Stuard being a really big one. Trevor Denbow, who did a great job. Kylen Granson being unique as a tight end who was really a three to four phase guy. So we’re looking at replacing three to four guys on the punt team.”
Making up for these lost snaps, the Colts still have Segun Olubi, Ashton Dulin, Drew Ogletree, and Adetomiwa Adebawore all returning, all of whom were top five in special team snaps last season.
However, more is also going to be asked of other players on the roster. Whether that be returning players taking on larger roles, which could include Rodney Thomas, Cameron McGrone, and others, or incoming players, like Joe Bachie and Hunter Wohler, showcasing that they can take on those special teams duties right away.
“We’ve got a lot of guys that have been here and gotten those reps and now it’s going to be their opportunity to be the next person to step up. Wev’e got some guys like Segun Olubi, who’s been a two year starter and done a really nice job and this is a big opportunity for him to fill some of that role, especially where Grant was as the special teams linebacker for us.
“So we’re just looking forward to some of those guys being able to step up to fill some of those roles. We’ve got some young guys we’re excited about and new guys we’re excited about.”
In the all-encompassing 2024 special teams rankings, the Colts finished 18th in the NFL, with their punt coverage team being one of the better units in the league.