The Indianapolis Colts’ unsettled linebacker situation is drawing concern ahead of the regular season.
ESPN’s Mike Clay ranked the Colts’ off-ball linebacker room No. 32 in the NFL on Aug. 21 while labeling Indianapolis the league’s “shakiest” group at the position.
“The Colts weren’t as aggressive as expected in upgrading their linebacker room,” Clay wrote.
The Colts traded Zaire Franklin and let Germaine Pratt walk in free agency during the offseason after finishing 30th in pass rush win rate (29.1%) and 25th in run stop win rate (29.2%) last season, according to ESPN.
Indianapolis is now leaning on a mostly untried group headlined by veteran Akeem Davis-Gaither, second-round rookie CJ Allen, fourth-round rookie Bryce Boettcher, and Jaylon Carlies.
The competition has stayed wide open throughout training camp.
Colts linebackers coach James Bettcher said Aug. 12 that six players had rotated with the first-team defense: Davis-Gaither, Allen, Boettcher, Austin Ajiake, Carlies and West Weeks.
“When a couple guys separate themselves from the pack then those become the guys that will take the majority of the reps with the ones,” Bettcher said.
Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo has said that he is open to rotating at the linebacker position even when the regular season arrives.
That ongoing competition alludes to wheels turning in Indianapolis, but it also explains ESPN’s skepticism with Week 1 approaching.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts linebackers hit with NFL-worst verdict in 2026
