INDIANAPOLIS – Relief might be near for the Indianapolis Colts’ most stressed position.
Cornerback Jaylon Jones went through a full week of practice and is questionable for Sunday’s road test with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He remains on the injured reserve list with a hamstring injury, but has practiced the past two weeks. The team opened his 21-day practice window last week and Jones was limited in each of the three practices.
However, Jones handled a heavier workload in the Colts’ preparation for the Steelers. He would have to be added to the active roster.
“We’ll see,’’ Shane Steichen said Friday. “He had a good week of practice.’’
Jones’ return would be a major boost to the Colts’ secondary, more specifically the cornerbacks.
Charvarius Ward must miss at least two more games with a concussion, and he’s joined on IR by veteran nickel Mike Hilton (shoulder) and promising rookie Justin Walley (season-ending knee injury).
The rash of injuries has forced coordinator Lou Anarumo to rely on several inexperienced or unproven backups: Mekhi Blackmon, Johnathan Edwards, Cameron Mitchell and Chris Lammons.
Blackmon has started five games, including the last four, after being acquired in an Aug. 25 trade with Minnesota, while Edwards is an undrafted rookie who has started the last three games.
Mitchell was signed to the practice squad Oct. 4 and played in the last three games. That includes 45 snaps against the Los Angeles Chargers and 48 against Tennessee.
Jones was a 2023 seventh-round pick who started 27 of 34 games in his first two seasons.
The 6’2″ 203-pounder sustained a hamstring injury during training camp on July 29, then was re-injured in the season opener against Miami while playing on special teams.
Anarumo’s defense ranks No. 6 in fewest points allowed (19.3), but is No. 29 in passing yards (252.0) and No. 30 in third-down efficiency (47.1%).
That defense must deal with an Aaron Rodgers-led pass attack that’s averaging 202.9 yards per game (No. 19) and 6.8 yards per attempt (No. 15). The 41-year-old Rodgers is completing 68.3% of his passes with 16 touchdowns, five interceptions and a 104.4 rating.
More injuries
Steichen ruled two players for the Steelers game: defensive end Samson Ebukma (knee) and wide receiver/kick returner Anthony Gould (knee).
Defensive tackle Grover Stewart (foot) and defensive end Tyquan Lewis (groin) are questionable.
Right guard Matt Goncalves, whose father, William, passed away this week, practiced Thursday and Friday and will start at Pittsburgh.
The Steelers ruled out safety Jabrill Peppers (quad), cornerback Cory Trice (hamstring, knee) and wide receiver Scott Miller (finger). Earlier in the week, they placed safety DeShon Elliott on IR with a knee injury.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.