The fanbase was blindsided by the news on Tuesday evening of the potentially season-ending knee injury to starting outside cornerback JuJu Brents. An unexpected turn of events as he was never mentioned on the post-game injury report. Arguably the thinnest part of the roster just got thinner.
The Ballard Plan Takes Another Hit
After making the 53-man roster, Ballard addressed the media and took a handful of questions from camp on a multitude of topics ranging from camp issues to roster construction. Ballard mentioned that he is willing to lose his job over his way of running a team and the way he builds it. We all know his bread and butter is building in the trenches and protecting the quarterback. He has held to that promise by making a massive investment on both sides of the line.
With the immense amount of spending on certain areas of the roster, we would typically see some areas lacking. However, the franchise has flexibility for the next couple of seasons with Anthony Richardson on a rookie contract. In fact, they have approximately $25 million available this season to use as they wish. The areas of the roster that many (including myself) thought were lacking were the secondary and tight end. Now, the first true test of this staff being able to tread through a major injury at an already thin position is about to begin.
Chris Ballard on his roster building approach less than two weeks ago:
“If it gets me fired, so be it.”
Well now, it might. Smh.pic.twitter.com/DFsPYrY3fn
— Zach Vogt (@ZachVogt30) September 10, 2024
Ballard Accountability
Is this injury on Chris Ballard? Of course not, but is it up to Chris Ballard to have these backup plans ready to go? Absolutely. As of this moment, the team has promoted practice squad player and NFL veteran Chris Lammons to the active roster. They signed another veteran, Kelvin Joseph, to the practice squad. There is still a chance for a trade or a free agent signing but based on past track records that appears doubtful. The Ballard plan (as of now) is to either rely on Dallis Flowers (recovering from an Achilles injury) who was inactive last week or they rely on guys like Sam Womack (picked up on waivers) or Chris Lammons, who both specialize in the nickel corner spot.
Injuries are a part of the game, and all teams need to prepare for it, but Indianapolis has not. Ballard’s plan has the potential to be exposed due to his selfishness and arrogance to his continued belief in roster construction. I am all for allowing a young team to grow and flourish by getting meaningful reps but leaving it in the hands of practice squad and unproven players that were not able to make the team on the initial roster is malpractice. For a franchise and coaching staff that claim they plan to win the division and finally return to the NFL Playoffs, the front office staff has to set up this team for success more consistently. Otherwise, this fanbase will continue to be let down and Ballard will continue to be the main culprit of criticism.
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