WESTFIELD – Laiatu Latu’s rookie arc was given an unfortunate boost when his “big bro’’ – that would be Samson Ebukam – suffered a season-ending Achilles injury Sunday.
But let’s be clear about one thing: the Indianapolis Colts never considered Latu a so-called “luxury’’ choice when Chris Ballard used the 15th pick in the April draft on the best defensive player on his board and, as it turned out, the first defensive player selected overall.
That added a disruptive pass-rush threat – 23.5 sacks and 34 tackles for loss the last two seasons at UCLA – to a group that set an Indy-era record with 51 sacks last season. Ebukam was the leader of the pack with a career-high 9.5 sacks, and the whole gang was coming back.
Latu represented another weapon for coordinator Gus Bradley, and the speedy, shifty 6-5, 259-pounder would be used.
“I think he’s going to produce pretty quickly as a rusher,’’ Ballard said in April. “I think he knows how to rush.’’
Early speculation focused on how Bradley might maximize Latu’s presence; probably as an invaluable component in his various pass-rush packages.
Again, Latu was going to be on the field.
With Ebukam’s injury, he probably will be on it a tad more.
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One of the Colts’ undeniable strengths is the defensive line, and that’s rooted in a rotational system designed to keep everyone as fresh as possible. Too much can be made regarding which players start. Instead, keep track of which combination is on the field when it matters.
Latu has handled heavy work during the first four camp sessions – with the first team, with the No. 2 defense; on the left side, on the right – but his objective always has been the same, and that didn’t change with Ebukam’s injury.
“Shoot, I’m just going to keep carrying on like I’ve been,’’ he said after Tuesday morning’s practice. “I’ve been fighting for that starting spot, trying to prove I can be up there playing with the big dogs.
“I’m going to continue doing that. Nothing changed for me.’’
Tuesday’s practice unfolded in withering heat/humidity at Grand Park Sports Campus. Players were in full pads for the first time.
It was, according to Latu, just another day at the office.
“I’ve been treating every day like it’s a game rep,’’ he said. “It’s just another day with pads on. I’m out there doing my thing.
“I think I’ve been proving myself every day that I can be out there with Buck (DeForest Buckner), Z (Zaire Franklin) and all those guys.”
As amped as Latu is to prove he belongs, he’s doing so now without someone he grew close with prior to the draft and after joining the Colts. Latu and Ebukam were training partners, along with Kwity Paye, Dayo Odeyingbo and others, under the guidance of d-line guro Eddy McGilvra.
“That’s my big bro,’’ Latu said. “Pre-draft, after draft, pre-practice and all that stuff, he’s really been helping me. He’s been a big brother to me, working with me on my get-off, working on different moves, stuff like that. Learning from him, watching film on him.
“So, I’m just trying to carry what he was already providing for the team and I’m trying to boost that up so it doesn’t feel like we’re missing anybody.
“He's in my prayers. I sent him a text and I’m hoping I can see him after this (practice). But shoot, he’s just going to be in my prayers.’’
It’s possible Latu does enough over the next five-plus weeks to earn a starting spot opposite Kwity Paye. That would be an elite pairing of the 2024 first-round pick and the 2021 first rounder (Paye was drafted 21st overall).
The last pass rusher selected by the Colts with a top-15 pick – Hall of Famer Dwight Freeney, taken No. 11 overall in 2002 – didn’t start until week 9.
Or the Colts could open games with Tyquan Lewis or Odeyingbo and work in Latu early and often.
Lewis has started 15 of 65 games since being selected in round 2 in 2018, but his value seems more as someone capable of playing every spot on the line rather than settling inside or outside.
“I’m comfortable wherever they put me,’’ Lewis said. “You can put me anywhere.
“You can put me in the middle of the ocean. I can’t swim, but I’ll try.’’
However it plays out, replacing Ebukam must be a collective endeavor.
“Yeah, Kwity, Dayo and Latu, I mean, it’s time.’’ Shane Steichen said. “Those guys need to step up. I mean, they’re good players. Now, obviously, Latu coming in rookie year . . . we like where he’s at and we’ve got to keep repping that.’’
Steichen admitted Latu should anticipate a heavier workload on an Ebukam-less d-line.
“It’s our fourth day out here, but we’re still developing all those guys,’’ he said. “Obviously, the reps are going to probably going to crank up a little bit for those guys.’’
Bradley was impressed with Latu’s skillset during the Colts’ offseason work and that didn’t change over the first few days of camp.
“His speed off the ball, his moves,’’ he said.
The true litmus test for all players: How do they perform when the pads are pulled on?
Tuesday, there was no downturn by Latu.
“He looked explosive coming around the edge in pads,’’ Steichen said. “It’ll be good to see him in these preseason games.’’
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During one-on-one pass-rush drills, Latu routinely whipped whichever tackle he faced.
On one, he was positioned wide left and used his speed to shed backup right tackle Blake Freeland and get around him for instant pressure on where the quarterback would have been. On another, moved to the right side and he whipped No. 2 left tackle Jake Witt.
Latu’s effectiveness carried over to 11-on-11 work. He frequently worked his way into the backfield and on one occasion, beat left tackle Bernard Raimann for what would have been a sack of Anthony Richardson.
“He seems to fit right in with the defense,’’ Raimann said. “He’s quick. He’s physical. He fits the run game. It’s hard to block him in the run game because he’s so twitchy and seeing him in pass pro as well.
“You’ve got to bring your ‘A’ game against him and it makes off of us better.’’
Steichen has been impressed with Latu’s relentlessness, which jumped off the video when he was doing pre-draft evaluations.
“You watch all these rushers in the draft and they’re all talented,’’ he said. “But his motor that he had after plays, you could see it. You know what I mean? Even if he gets around the edge and the quarterback steps up – boom! – he is turning and running and trying to go get him.
“He’s just got the relentless motor. That’s what you want at that position: coming after the quarterback and then, shoot, if you don’t get him, go chase it.’’
There’s a reason the Colts used the 15th overall pick – for the first time in league history, the first 14 spots were filled by offensive players – on Latu.
“He’s a heckuva player,’’ Steichen said. “It’s why we took him.
“We’re excited for the future of him.’’