INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts have seen the successful debuts of several rookies already this season, and they're hoping to see yet another one on Sunday.
Head coach Frank Reich announced today that defensive tackle/end Tyquan Lewis, a second-round pick in this year's NFL Draft, will be moved from injured reserve to the active roster in time for Sunday's Week 10 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Colts made the move official later in the afternoon. In related roster moves, the team elevated linebacker Skai Moore to the active roster from the practice squad, and waived wide receiver Steve Ishmael and running back Robert Turbin.
Reich also announced that three players have been ruled out of the Jaguars game: tight end Ryan Hewitt (ankle), safety Mike Mitchell (calf) and tight end Erik Swoope (knee). Defensive end Kemoko Turay (neck) will be questionable, meanwhile.
Lewis excelled both from the interior and off the edge during his college career at Ohio State, where he finished with 112 career tackles (53 solo), 36.5 tackles for loss, 23.5 sacks and five forced fumbles. In 2016, the two-time team captain was named the Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year, awarded to the best defensive lineman in the Big Ten.
Looking to add elite talent to their defensive line, the Colts used one of their four second-round picks in this year's draft on Lewis, and by the time training camp was in full swing, he was beginning to get into the rotation when he suffered a toe injury prior to the team's first preseason game on Aug. 9.
Placed on IR at the beginning of the regular season, Lewis was immediately viewed as a prime candidate to be one of two players the team could bring back from IR down the road.
Lewis returned to practice on Oct. 24, setting in motion a 21-day window the team could use to decide whether or not to activate him, or revert him to IR for the rest of the season. Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus on Thursday said he has been impressed with Lewis' active nature, and is excited about the versatility he can bring to the defensive line.
"He's done a good job," Eberflus said. "The training staff did a great job with his rehab. I can't say enough about those guys. They got him ready to go. We are excited where he is and he's looked good in the bye week. He's looked good so far this week so we will see where he is."
The Colts now have one return-from-IR spot remaining for the rest of the season. To be eligible, a player must be placed on IR after the start of the regular season, and has to miss at least eight weeks of action before they can return to practice.
Injury report
Here is Friday's practice report, with their designation for Sunday's game (if applicable):
» DNP: S Clayton Geathers (knee); T/G Denzelle Good (illness; questionable); TE Ryan Hewitt (ankle; out); S Mike Mitchell (calf; out); TE Erik Swoope (knee; out); DE Kemoko Turay (neck; questionable)
» Limited: CB Nate Hairston (ankle; questionable)
» Full: WR Ryan Grant (ankle; questionable); S Malik Hooker (hip); DT/DE Tyquan Lewis (foot); RB Marlon Mack (foot); DT Hassan Ridgeway (illness); G Braden Smith (hand)
