Before their 1:00 matchup with the struggling Miami Dolphins, the Colts are expected to be without their sixth-year starter in Indianapolis, currently ranks third in the league with 60 total tackles and leads with 44 solo tackles.
While both Speed and fellow linebacker Zaire Franklin have faced criticism from fans this season, their contributions to the defense remain significant. It’s important to note, however, that their high number of tackling attempts has also led to a notable number of missed tackles.
In the past two seasons, Speed has recorded 20 missed tackles, while Franklin has missed 19. The problem is more pronounced for Speed, who has a missed tackle rate of about 10%, compared to Franklin’s rate of around 7%.
In the past three weeks, Carlies has seen increased playing time and has emerged as a standout player for a struggling defense. During this 2-1 stretch, he has earned a 90.3 PFF grade, recording three stops and eleven total tackles. The fifth-round pick from 2024 also holds an impressive 91.3 coverage grade over 22 snaps.
With his excellent pass coverage and improved run defense, Carlies has a great chance to solidify his role as the starting WILL linebacker, and he may keep that position even after Speed returns to health. Notably, the converted college safety has yet to miss a tackle this season.
Another option for defensive coordinator Gus Bradley is to have safety Nick Cross play closer to the line of scrimmage more frequently. In his third year out of Maryland, Cross has matched Speed and Franklin with 60 tackles each this season. While this high tackle volume reflects the defensive line’s struggles, Cross has performed well in his role and has been one of the few bright spots for the Colts defense.
Whether Cross gets more linebacker snaps or Carlies remains the primary option, both young defenders have a significant opportunity to establish themselves as key parts of the franchise’s future.
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