The Indianapolis Colts are enjoying the bye week while getting ready to prepare for the Week 7 home matchup against the Houston Texans.
While the Colts have had some strong performances on both sides of the ball, there have also been some players that need to improve when the team comes out of the bye week looking to take a hold of the AFC South.
Here are six Colts that need to step up coming out of the bye week:
S Clayton Geathers
As much fun as it would be to see a young trio of Malik Hooker, Khari Willis and George Odum dominate the snaps in a safety rotation, we know that Geathers will be a part of the game plan every week given his standing with the coaching staff.
Currently dealing with a concussion, it isn’t clear if the veteran safety will be cleared to play against the Texans. If he is, though, his production has to increase. Even with the Colts working more single-high looks, Geathers has to improve in coverage if he’s going to continue seeing significant snaps.
The rookie in Willis has shined in the absence of Hooker and Geathers, so he will likely see starting-caliber reps but if the Colts are dead set on playing Geathers, he has to step it up in the second half.
DT Margus Hunt
The Colts believed that using a slimmer defensive line that could penetrate gaps would suffice against the run. Through the first five weeks of the season, that plan hasn’t worked out at all.
As the Colts likely look to use a heavier defensive line to help on early downs against the run, Hunt is a player that must improve moving forward. He hasn’t given the Colts the type of consistency or production that earned him a three-year extension.
The Estonian native is a nice depth piece but if the Colts are going to rely on him as a starter, he has to improve. His snaps have steadily decreased over the last three games and he has yet to record a sack or a tackle for loss.
LB Anthony Walker
The Colts have a steady group of linebackers and Walker has proved himself to be a solid communicator and leader in the middle of the field. Though he currently leads the team in tackles, Walker has to improve his play in coverage.
Maybe its because he’s had to slide over to the WILL position with Darius Leonard out the last three games, but Walker’s play in coverage has hurt the Colts on several instances. The third-year backer is still going to start—as he should—but if the Colts defense is going to improve in the second half, Walker has to be better against the pass.
Maybe with Leonard coming back, Walker can slide to his typical MIKE spot, and the coverage will improve. But coming out of the bye, that’s an objective for the Northwestern product.
DE Ben Banogu
Through the first five games, the rookie second-round pick hasn’t done much to make an impact on the Colts defense. He’s been used in a limited and situational role—one that saw him take zero defensive snaps in Week 5.
However, the rookie will have to step up coming out of the bye week as second-year defensive end Kemoko Turay suffered a season-ending ankle injury. This doesn’t mean Banogu will have a starting role, but he’s likely to see more snaps as an edge rusher immediately coming out the bye.
It can take time for rookies to develop, but Banogu will have a chance to make an impact during the second half.
WR Parris Campbell
Another rookie that many are expecting to take some steps forward in the second half, Campbell hasn’t done much to open the season. While that’s expected given the history of rookie production for wide receivers, the Colts are going to need Campbell to play better than he has.
The speedy wide receiver has been seeing a little more time on the outside rather than the slot, and his 6.2 yards per reception mark is something must improve if the Colts offense is going to become more explosive in the second half.
No one is expecting for Campbell to be a 1,000-yard receiver right now, but he’s going to need to step up in a bigger role during the second half coming out of the bye week.
TE Eric Ebron
After a career season in every way imaginable, regression was expected for Ebron coming into the 2019 season. More weapons on the offense and the retirement of Andrew Luck has seen Ebron’s production plummet massively.
Though he’s making some big plays with 15.1 yards per reception, he has just nine catches through the first five games with one touchdown to his name. The shift to a more run-first approach certainly has to do with it, but Ebron has left his opportunities on the field as well.
The Colts’ passing offense has left something to be desired and as one of the more explosive playmakers on that side of the ball, Indy needs more from Ebron coming out of the bye.
