Commanders could be in trouble vs Colts after key defender ruled out

The Washington Commanders should take care of business against the Indianapolis Colts, but it’s never that simple or easy in the NFL.

While Logan Thomas will play, the Commanders will be without Jahan Dotson for a third-straight game. Perhaps the biggest absence for Washington, though, is Cole Holcomb, who missed practice all week with a foot sprain and leave the defense paper thin at linebacker.

Holcomb was close to getting the green light, but Ron Rivera cited precautionary reasons as why the 25-year-old isn’t suiting up.

"“There was improvement, and it’s one of those things that even though, the swelling’s gone down, you still have to be smart and careful with it,” Rivera said of Holcomb to the media.“He did a little bit of work and stuff like that inside but again, we’re just in a tough spot.”"

Rivera is right about one thing: the Commanders are in a tough spot; one that could’ve been avoided in the offseason had they spent the requisite resources to add quality linebackers behind Holcomb and fellow starter Jamin Davis.

Again, Washington should still take care of business without Holcomb, but fans are rightly concerned about the idea of David Mayo and Jon Bostic seeing an uptick in playing time against Jonathan Taylor and the Colts’ offense.

Cole Holcomb’s absence is a big loss for the Commanders.

The Colts’ offensive line is a shell of its former self, but that hasn’t stopped Taylor from averaging over 4.0 yards per carry this season. Holcomb is no superstar, but you absolutely trust him the most of Washington’s linebackers to fill the correct gaps against the run. It’s actually not even close.

While Davis has improved in that regard, he’s still learning on the job and gets caught in no-man’s land more than you’d like. More concerning (and damning), though, is the fact Bostic and Mayo will get meaningful snaps in the year 2022. That’s an indictment on the front office, which could’ve used a mid-round pick on a rookie or some of its leftover cap space on a veteran to give the position some insurance.

Beyond the running game, Holcomb’s athleticism and unwavering motor would’ve been useful containing the mobile Sam Ehlinger.

Already a major concern entering the season, Washington was always one injury away from its linebacker room becoming a disaster. How many teams in the NFL roster just two starting-caliber linebackers? And Davis is only now capable of carrying that label after an up-and-down (mostly down) rookie year.

The Commanders should still win, but the only guarantee we can make is Holcomb’s absence will be felt in the middle of the defense.