Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Oct 9, 2026 9:51 AM
The Indianapolis Colts got encouraging news on Thursday's injury report ahead of this week's matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Indianapolis Colts DT DeForest Buckner spoke ahead of the team's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Video via Jake Arthur/ColtsRoundtable)More Videos
The practice injury report began a bit worrisome for the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday ahead of this weekend's matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, they got some encouraging news on Thursday.
Starters Tanor Bortolini and Akeem Davis-Gaither were both able to increase their participation from the day before, showing positive steps toward their availability on Sunday in Pittsburgh.
Here is how both teams' health is shaping up ahead of Sunday's matchup.
COLTS
- Did Not Participate — C Tanor Bortolini (ankle), LB Jaylon Carlies (ribs), LB Akeem Davis-Gaither (knee), WR Ashton Dulin (hamstring), ED Arden Key (hamstring)
- Limited Participant — WR Keenan Allen (rest, groin), RB Jonathan Taylor (rest), CB Charvarius Ward Sr. (rest)
- Full Participant — TE Will Mallory (IR-thumb)
THURSDAY
- Did Not Participate — LB Jaylon Carlies (ribs), WR Ashton Dulin (hamstring), ED Arden Key (hamstring), DT Grover Stewart (rest)
- Limited Participant — WR Keenan Allen (rest, groin), C Tanor Bortolini (ankle), CB Charvarius Ward Sr. (rest, groin)
- Full Participant — LB Akeem Davis-Gaither (knee), TE Will Mallory (IR-thumb), RB Jonathan Taylor (rest)
While things are trending in the right direction for Bortolini, being without him on the road this weekend, in a raucous environment like Acrisure Stadium, would be a challenge. Sedrick Van Pran-Granger would be the next man up.
Both of the Colts' starting linebackers, Davis-Gaither (MIKE) and Carlies (WILL), missed Wednesday's practice, though Davis-Gaither returned in full on Thursday. If Carlies remains out Friday and cannot play this weekend, rookie Bryce Boettcher may primarily play alongside Davis-Gaither, assuming the latter's available.
Key suffered a hamstring injury in last Sunday's win over the Washington Commanders and is expected to miss multiple weeks. Jaylahn Tuimoloau is likely to start in his place, with rookies Caden Curry and George Gumbs Jr. likely to see more action. The Colts also signed veteran edge defender Carl Lawson to the practice squad this week.
Dulin missed Weeks 2 and 3 with an ankle injury and came out of Week 4 with a hamstring. Without him in the lineup, expect to see more of Laquon Treadwell on offense and Anthony Gould on kickoff returns.
STEELERS
WEDNESDAY
- Did Not Participate — CB Jamel Dean (ankle), DT Cameron Heyward (rest), CB Jalen Ramsey (wrist)
- Limited Participant — RB Rico Dowdle (toe), WR Michael Pittman Jr. (foot)
FRIDAY
- Did Not Participate — CB Jamel Dean (ankle), WR Michael Pittman Jr. (foot)
- Limited Participant — RB Rico Dowdle (toe), S DeShon Elliott (IR-knee), CB Jalen Ramsey (wrist)
- Full Participant — DT Cameron Heyward (rest)
Dean and Ramsey make up two-thirds of Pittsburgh's starting cornerback group, so monitoring their status is critical. Ramsey returned on Thursday, but Dean remained out after aggravating a preexisting ankle injury in last week's game.
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), Braden Smith (foot), Nick Cross (illness), and now Pittman (foot).
The Colts and Steelers face off on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS in Pittsburgh at Acrisure Stadium.
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