Colts Open Roster Spot, Place Starter On IR

PITTSBURGH — The Indianapolis Colts (2-2) are making roster adjustments ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2).

The team announced on Saturday that they placed starting edge defender Arden Key on Injured Reserve with a hamstring injury.

They also downgraded wide receiver Darius Slayton from questionable to out with a knee injury. In a corresponding move, the Colts elevated wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine from the practice squad to the active roster for gameday. He'll revert to the practice squad afterward.

Key suffered his injury in last Sunday's win in London over the Washington Commanders, and he did not return. He'll be replaced primarily by Jaylahn Tuimoloau, with rookies Caden Curry and potentially George Gumbs Jr. seeing increased work.

Slayton was signed by the Colts a few weeks ago, but he spent the two games since then on the sidelines as a healthy inactive. He suffered an injury in Friday's practice and is not ready to make his Colts debut.

This is the third and final time that the Colts can call up Westbrook-Ikhine from the practice squad for gameday elevations. If he is to play for them again, it has to be as an under-contract member of the active roster.

Also out for the Colts on Sunday in Pittsburgh are starting WILL linebacker Jaylon Carlies (ribs) and wide receiver Ashton Dulin (hamstring). Tight end Will Mallory, who is on IR with a thumb injury, returned to practice this week but has not yet been activated.

With Carlies out, rookie Bryce Boettcher appears ready to take on a starting role. Dulin will likely be replaced most by Laquon Treadwell on offense and Anthony Gould on kickoff returns.

Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen (groin) and cornerback Charvarius Ward Sr. (groin) are both listed as questionable but practiced this week, raising optimism about their chances of playing.

The Steelers have listed starting cornerback Jamel Dean (ankle) and starting wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) as out. Safety DeShon Elliott (knee) is on IR and practiced this week, but is not yet ready to return.

Running back Rico Dowdle (toe) and starting cornerback Jalen Ramsey (wrist) are listed as questionable. Both practiced this week.

Dean and Ramsey make up two-thirds of Pittsburgh's starting cornerback group, so their status is critical.

Former Colt Pittman, who was traded to the Steelers this offseason, has been dealing with a foot injury that kept him out of Week 2, and Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy said Thursday that Pittman had a setback and is expected to miss multiple weeks.

Since the season began, the Colts have missed matchups with former teammates Danny Pinter (knee) of the Baltimore Ravens, Braden Smith (foot) of the Houston Texans, Nick Cross (illness) of the Commanders, and now Pittman (foot).

The Colts and Steelers play at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS.