Laiatu Latu appears to suffer setback ahead of Week 2 matchup against Broncos

After the Indianapolis Colts went into their season opener with a clean bill of health, it hasn’t been the same story going into Week 2. 

Cornerback Charvarius Ward is in concussion protocol, leaving his status for Sunday against the Denver Broncos up in the air, the same as second-year pass rusher Laiatu Latu’s availability. 

According to the Colts’ practice report, Latu suffered a hamstring injury in practice on Wednesday, limiting his participation. He was listed as “did not participate” for Thursday’s practice, an indication his injury could hold him out for at least a game. The severity of his ailment is yet to be determined, but a downgrade in status isn’t necessarily encouraging. 

Laiatu Latu popping up on the injury report in the middle of the week is not what you want to see.#Colts officially downgraded him to a full Did Not Practice for today, severity of the injury not yet determined. https://t.co/12IW3KbO92

Latu recorded one tackle in Indy’s 33-8 win over the Dolphins, plus his first career interception while dropping back into coverage. He’s also not the only Colts player dealing with a hamstring injury right now, as cornerback Jaylon Jones is expected to be out “a while” according to head coach Shane Steichen. 

Given how tricky hamstrings can be to rehab, Latu’s decline in practice participation hints that he could be sidelined longer than anticipated. If there’s any silver lining for Indianapolis, they have a very deep defensive end rotation. Kwity Paye, Samson Ebukam, Tyquan Lewis and rookie JT Tuimoloau, who was a healthy inactive against Miami, make up the remainder of the depth chart.