Colts Rookie Linebacker CJ Allen Sidelined by Hamstring Injury at Training Camp
Indianapolis Colts rookie linebacker CJ Allen sat out Thursday’s training camp practice with a hamstring injury, according to Yahoo Sports, which reported that head coach Shane Steichen confirmed the issue and said there is no timetable for Allen’s return. James Boyd of The Athletic first reported the injury, according to ClutchPoints.
It’s the second physical setback of camp for the 21-year-old. Allen opened training camp on the physically unable to perform list while recovering from a calf strain, a issue Boyd had earlier reported stemmed from a tweak Allen suffered during a workout, per SI.com’s Colts site. He was activated off PUP on July 31 and quickly stepped into the first-team defense before this latest hamstring issue surfaced.
Allen wasn’t the only Colt out Thursday. The team’s injury report for that day also listed safety Hunter Wohler (hamstring), defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (toe), wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (hamstring), running back D.J. Giddens (hamstring) and wide receiver Eli Pancol (undisclosed), according to 93.5/107.5 The Fan’s camp notebook.
A Rookie the Colts Are Counting On
Indianapolis drafted Allen out of Georgia in the second round, No. 53 overall, this spring. He was a productive piece of the Bulldogs’ defense last season, finishing with three and a half sacks, 88 combined tackles, eight tackles for loss, four passes defended, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery across 13 games.
The Colts have penciled him in as a starting linebacker, and per Yahoo Sports, it remains to be seen whether he’ll wear the green dot as Indy’s defensive signal-caller, a role veteran Cam Bynum has handled recently. Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo praised Allen’s work ethic earlier in camp, saying he “never left this building all summer and works his butt off both physically and mentally,” according to Yahoo Sports, which credited the quote to Locked on Colts.
Every missed practice matters for a rookie still adjusting to an NFL defense, and reps lost to injury are reps a first-year player can’t easily get back before the regular season opens.
Coming Off a High Note
Allen’s injury landed on an otherwise strong day at Grand Park. The Colts held their final night practice of camp with fireworks following it, and owner/CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon opened festivities by welcoming back star running back Jonathan Taylor, fresh off a new contract extension, according to SI.com’s Colts coverage. Quarterback Daniel Jones also drew praise for his performance that night, per the same report.
Training camp continues at Westfield’s Grand Park Sports Campus, with the Colts scheduled for joint practices against New England on Aug. 11 ahead of their preseason opener two days later, according to 93.5/107.5 The Fan.
