Nov 5, 2026 11:12 PM
The Indianapolis Colts remained without two defensive starters at Thursday's practice, but that may mean a budding partnership forming for the future.
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The Indianapolis Colts (2-6) continued their week of practice on Thursday ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Dallas Cowboys (3-5), but they remained without two defensive starters.
WILL linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither and slot cornerback Justin Walley, both dealing with knee injuries, remained out a second consecutive day, clouding their availability for this weekend. Walley has been out and hasn't practiced since leaving the second half of the Colts' Week 6 game early.
Here is how both teams' health is shaping up ahead of Sunday's matchup.
COLTS
- Did Not Participate — WR Keenan Allen (rest), LB Akeem Davis-Gaither (knee), TE Drew Ogletree (knee), CB Justin Walley (knee), CB Charvarius Ward Sr. (rest)
- Limited Participant — RB Jonathan Taylor (rest)
- Full Participant — LB Bryce Boettcher (groin), WR Anthony Gould (concussion), OT Jalen Travis (thumb)
THURSDAY
- Did Not Participate — LB Akeem Davis-Gaither (knee), DT Grover Stewart
- (rest), CB Justin Walley (knee),
- Limited Participant — TE Drew Ogletree (knee)
- Full Participant — WR Keenan Allen (rest), LB Bryce Boettcher (groin), WR Anthony Gould (concussion), RB Jonathan Taylor (rest), OT Jalen Travis (thumb), CB Charvarius Ward Sr. (rest)
Without Davis-Gaither, it could create an opportunity for Boettcher to start alongside fellow rookie CJ Allen. Boettcher started at WILL in Weeks 5 and 6 while Jaylon Carlies was injured before Boettcher suffered his own injury that's cost him the last two weeks. In the meantime, Allen entered the starting lineup at MIKE, which sent Davis-Gaither to WILL. If Davis-Gaither misses Sunday and Boettcher returns, the Colts may want to see what they have in their rookie duo of Allen and Boettcher playing together.
With Walley still not practicing for the second consecutive week, it's logical that he may not play Sunday, presenting another opportunity for undrafted rookie Kapena Gushiken to fill in at nickel.
COWBOYS
WEDNESDAY
- Did Not Participate — S Caleb Downs (concussion, ankle), TE Jake Ferguson (ankle), OT Broderick Jones (personal), LB Malachi Lawrence (ankle), S P.J. Locke (concussion), LB Von Miller (rest), WR Kavontae Turpin (ribs)
- Limited Participant — WR George Pickens (hamstring), TE Luke Schoonmaker (groin), G Tyler Smith (ankle), LB Dee Winters (calf)
- Full Participant — DE Jonathan Bullard (calf), DT Kenny Clark (back), LB Marist Liufau (forearm), CB Joey Porter Jr. (ankle), OT Drew Shelton (hamstring)
THURSDAY
- Did Not Participate — TE Jake Ferguson (ankle), LB Malachi Lawrence (ankle), WR Kavontae Turpin (ribs)
- Limited Participant — S Caleb Downs (concussion, ankle), S P.J. Locke (concussion), LB DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring, back), WR George Pickens (hamstring), CB Joey Porter Jr. (ankle), TE Luke Schoonmaker (groin), G Tyler Smith (ankle)
- Full Participant — DE Jonathan Bullard (calf), DT Kenny Clark (back), LB Marist Liufau (forearm), OT Drew Shelton (hamstring), LB Dee Winters (calf)
Schoonmaker, Shelton, Turpin, and Winters were all out last week, so their status this week requires further monitoring. Shelton and Winters are both on the upswing.
Downs and Locke make up two members of Dallas' starting secondary: Downs in the nickel and Locke at strong safety. For a defense that already struggles, any absence could be a huge break for a down-bad Colts offense. However, both were upgraded on Thursday.
Ferguson, the starting tight end, has three touchdowns and six first downs this year, so if he can't play, it would remove a safe option for quarterback Dak Prescott in key situations. Brevyn Spann-Ford is behind Ferguson on the depth chart.
The Colts and Cowboys face off on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium.
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