Speed compiled 10 tackles (eight solo) in Sunday's 29-27 loss to the Texans.
Speed had somewhat of a breakout season last year, his fifth in the league, earning a larger role which saw him hit the century mark in tackles for the first time in his career. His performance in Week 1 has him well on the way to doing so again in 2024.
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Colts' E.J. Speed: Career-high tackle total Saturday
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Speed recorded 13 tackles (10 solo) in Saturday's 23-19 loss versus the Texans.
Over 16 games this season, Speed recorded 102 tackles (78 solo) including a sack and three forced fumbles. It was a career-best year for him in essentially every category. He has one more season on his current contract and currently figures to play a significant role at linebacker for the Colts again in 2024.
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Colts' E.J. Speed: Records 13 tackles
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Speed finished with 13 tackles (10 solo), including a tackle for a loss, and two passes defensed in the Colts' 29-10 loss to the Falcons on Sunday.
Speed now has 23 tackles in two games since returning from a knee injury. The fifth-year pro has set a career high in tackles this season with 78. The linebacker also has four pass breakups and three forced fumbles.
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Colts' E.J. Speed: Goes through walkthrough
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Speed (knee) was a full participant in Tuesday's walk-through.
Per Nate, head coach Shane Steichen noted Tuesday that Speed is "feeling good" about his knee. His status for Saturday's contest against the Steelers will become clearer once his participation in practices is known. Speed has 55 tackles (41 solo), including one sack, and two forced fumbles in 12 games this season.
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Colts' E.J. Speed: Compiles eight tackles in win
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Speed recorded eight tackles (six solo) in Sunday's 31-28 overtime win against Tennessee.
Speed was able to compile a season-high eight stops in the victory and he's now registered 14 tackles over the last two games combined, his most in a two-game stretch this year. The linebacker has stepped into a larger role since the team waived Shaquille Leonard in late November.
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Colts' E.J. Speed: Taking over as starter
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Speed is expected to take over as the Colts' starting weakside linebacker after the team waived Shaquille Leonard on Tuesday, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports.
Indianapolis cut Leonard in a somewhat surprising move Tuesday, leaving a large gap in their front seven for the remainder of the season. Speed was already on track for a career-best campaign in the tackle department with 41 total so far, and his projected uptick in playing time could put him on the IDP radar for the rest of 2023.
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Colts' E.J. Speed: Back at practice
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Speed (ankle) returned to practice earlier this week, Mike Chappell of Fox59.com reports.
Speed missed practice time last week, but he was back on the field Sunday, intercepting a pass from Gardner Minshew during a two-minute drill. The 28-year-old's ability to recover quickly is good news for the defense, as Speed is expected to serve in a much larger role in the team's linebacker corps this season.
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Colts' E.J. Speed: Seven stops in MNF
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Speed recorded seven tackles (three solo) during Monday's 24-17 loss to the Steelers.
Speed tied cornerback Stephon Gilmore for the Colts' third-most tackles against Pittsburgh. While he only played 18 of his 39 snaps on defense Week 12, the linebacker still notched six defensive stops, including five on just one drive in the second quarter. Speed has now set a new career high for tackles (43) while primarily playing on special teams over 12 games. However, he should continue playing as a primary reserve behind starting linebackers Bobby Okereke and Zaire Franklin against Dallas this coming Sunday.
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Colts' E.J. Speed: Gets start in season opener
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Speed started at weak-side linebacker and had a sack and seven total tackles in Sunday's overtime tie at Houston.
Speed moved into a starting role with Shaquille Leonard out after back surgery and had a strong game, making several big plays. He played on 38 of the defense's 70 snaps, as he came off in nickel and dime packages. It's not clear when Leonard may return, so Speed could continue to get a larger workload next week at Jacksonville.
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Colts' E.J. Speed: Practicing again
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Speed (knee) returned to practice Monday, George Bremer of The Anderson Herald Bulletin reports.
The third-year linebacker appears to be healthy after hyper-extending his knee in practice Aug. 13. Speed made a speedy recovery and should be in the mix for a depth position with the Colts linebacking corps.
