"Colts Verify Achilles Injury for Defensive End Samson Ebukam"

Indianapolis Colts defensive end Samson Ebukam suffered a torn Achilles during a training camp practice on Sunday, according to head coach Shane Steichen on Tuesday.

Ebukam, who participated in all 17 games and led the Colts with a personal best of 9.5 sacks in 2023, is anticipated to be absent for the upcoming season.

In addition, Ebukam achieved career highs with 57 tackles (10 for loss) and 17 quarterback hits for Indianapolis last year.

The 29-year-old was embarking on his eighth NFL season and second with Indianapolis, after previously playing for the Los Angeles Rams (2017-2020) and San Francisco 49ers (2021-2022).

Drafted in the fourth round by Los Angeles in 2017, Ebukam has accumulated 281 tackles, 33 sacks and 69 quarterback hits over 113 games (78 starts).

Furthermore, Ebukam has 11 forced fumbles and five career fumble recoveries, including one for a touchdown. He returned his only career interception for a 25-yard touchdown in 2018.

To fill Ebukam's absence on the defensive line, the Colts will rely on 2024 first-round pick Laiatu Latu and Tyquan Lewis, who is entering his seventh season.

Latu, 23, recorded 49 tackles (21.5 for loss) and 13 sacks last season for UCLA. His average of 1.8 tackles for loss per game in 2023 led Division I.

Lewis, 29, achieved a career-high of 25 tackles and matched his personal best of four sacks over 17 games (0 starts) for Indianapolis last year.