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Colts add forgotten $24 million star to defense in hopes of big season

When a player misses an entire season with an injury, it's easy to forget about them.

But on the flip side, it's almost like a whole new offseason acquisition when that player returns for the next season.

That's what the Indianapolis Colts are getting with the return of Samson Ebukam.

Ebukam led the Colts in 2023 with 9.5 sacks. But in the lead up to the 2024 season, he tore his Achilles and was forced to sit out the entire year.

Now, he's back and ready to rock.

"Samson Ebukam was coming off a career-best season in 2023," Pro Football Focus writes. "The former fourth-round pick out of Eastern Washington ranked 14th among 112 qualifying edge defenders with an 84.4 PFF grade in his first season with the Indianapolis Colts. Ebukam had already established himself as a productive pass rusher — it was his third straight year with at least 45 pressures — but his 80.0 run-defense grade was by far the highest of his seven-year career."

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That's all very encouraging.

It's hard to know for sure whether Ebukam will be back to full strength immediately after the brutal Achilles injury.

But if he's up to speed, Ebukam can help the Colts in a big way to try and improve their defense.