The Indianapolis Colts’ have endured a roller coaster start to the 2024 season through the first five weeks of the campaign.

Specifically on the defensive side of the ball, the Colts have dealt with some significant injuries to the pass rush.

With or without starters on the field, the Colts’ defense has been among the worst in all of football. Indianapolis has allowed the fourth-most passing yards and third-most rushing yards through five games. 

With that in mind, Bleacher Report’s weekly list encouraging teams to trade for, sign or draft assets within the next year has been filled with defensive talent. Tight end is listed as one of the Colts’ top-five largest needs, but the other four spots are all on the defensive side of the ball. 

In terms of a move Indianapolis’ front office could make right now, Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report believes the Colts should attempt a trade for the New York Giants’ Azeez Ojulari.

“Samson Ebukam began the season on the injured reserve, they just sent Tyquan Lewis to join him and Kwity Paye is working through a quad injury. It might be time to re-stock the position with a trade that would help them in the short term and potentially add depth in the long term. Azeez Ojulari has fallen off in the Giants’ rotation with the arrival of Brian Burns, but he could have a long-term role with the Colts,” Ballentine wrote.

The fourth-year edge out of Georgia could fill a gaping hole in terms of a pass rush attack for Indianapolis, as the horseshoe has only recorded 10 sacks this year. 

Ojulari has not started a single game for the Giants so far this season, but he has appeared in all five contests, racking up a sack and tackle for loss in the meantime. However, the 24-year-old has shown signs of potential during his first few years with New York, accumulating 16 sacks in three seasons. 

Indianapolis has needed someone to fill in the role of Samson Ebukam all season, and with Kwity Paye missing time as well, that makes Ojulari’s fit even more obvious.

The bigger issue with this trade that is Ojulari has been inconsistent over the last three seasons, and the Giants just lost Kayvon Thibodeaux to a wrist injury so their desire to trade the Georgia product has likely decreased.

The Indianapolis Colts today released their Friday injury report for Week 6 of the NFL season ahead of their Sunday game against the Tennessee Titans.

Running back Jonathan Taylor has been ruled OUT for Sunday’s game against the Titans due to an ankle injury. Taylor injured his ankle against the Steelers two weeks ago and has been unable to practice again this week. With Taylor out expect a rotation of Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson at running back.

Cornerback Kenny Moore has been listed as QUESTIONABLE for Sunday’s game against the Titans due to hip and shoulder injuries. Moore injured his hip late in the game against the Bears and missed practice and games for two weeks because of it. Moore has been up and down at practice this week managing a limited, missed and full practice. If Moore is out expect Chris Lammons in his place at nickel corner.

Right tackle Braden Smith is listed as QUESTIONABLE for Sunday’s game against the Titans with knee and an ankle injuries. Smith missed practice Wednesday but practice full on Thursday before missing practice again on Friday, which is starting to appear like his regular practice schedule. Smith is likely to play but if he cannot play Sunday expect either second year Blake Freeland or rookie Matt Goncalves to start at right tackle.

Quarterback Anthony Richardson is listed as QUESTIONABLE for Sunday’s game against the Titans with an oblique injury. Richardson has been limited twice week at practice which and once a full participant. He appears to be trending in the right direction towards playing. If Richardson is out Sunday then expect Joe Flacco to get the start in his place again.

Wide receiver Josh Downs is listed as QUESTIONABLE for Sunday’s game against the Titans with a toe injury. Downs missed two practices this week with the toe injury but managed a full practice on Friday. Downs appears to be a game time decision on Sunday. If Downs is unable to play expect to see Anthony Gould active and get reps from the slot.

Wide receiver Michael Pittman is listed as QUESTIONABLE for Sunday’s game against the Titans with a back injury. Pittman missed two practices this week with the toe injury but managed a full practice on Friday. Pittman has had a strange turn of events with reports believing he may be heading to injured reserve to now where he appears to be a game time decision on Sunday. If Pittman is unable to play expect to see AD Mitchell to line up in the outside in his place.

After years of construction, IndyGo’s 15.2-mile Purple Line will launch on Sunday, Oct. 13, between downtown Indianapolis and Lawrence, connecting locals to several neighborhoods, major employers, cultural institutions, healthcare, and educational facilities.

Let’s explore the new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line along the 38 Street and Post Road corridors. All aboard.

How the Purple Line rolls

According to IndyGo, the Purple Line offers 18 exclusive stations — including the highly anticipated State Fair and Ivy Tech stations — and 13 stations shared with the Red Line. The route starts at the Julia M. Carson Transit Center and travels to Fort Benjamin Harrison.

Service runs Monday-Friday, 5 a.m.-1 a.m., Saturday, 6 a.m.-1 a.m., and Sunday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m. At peak service, a rapid transit vehicle will arrive at each station every 15-20 minutes. IndyGo says 58,470 people are located within walking distance of the Purple Line.

Wondering how to ride? Pay your fare via IndyGo’s MyKey app or visit a ticket vending machine at one of the stations. Plan your trip using this tool.

Service modifications

The Purple Line’s launch will cause minor route adjustments to the south side and bigger changes to the north side. If you ride in these parts of Indy, be prepared for service modifications along these routes:

• Route 4
• Route 10
• Route 18
• Route 19
• Route 28
• Route 29 (formerly Route 902)
• Route 30
• Route 31
• Route 39
• Route 82 (formerly Route 901)
• Route 86
• Purple Line/Route 92

Additional infrastructure

The $188 million Purple Line project comes with significant infrastructure improvements for communities along its path including sidewalk repairs, lane resurfacing, upgraded traffic signals, 350+ ADA curb ramps, and storm sewer and drainage improvements.

There’s also a new 3.2-mile multi-use path for pedestrians + bicyclists along the north side of 38th Street from Tacoma to Sheridan.