With the first week of regular season football approaching in the next few weeks, teams are not just preparing for the 17-game season, but hoping to be as healthy as possible going in.
The Colts’ opening day opponent, the Miami Dolphins, saw second-year pass rusher Chop Robinson carted off at today’s joint practice with the Lions, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
There is no word yet on the severity or what body part was affected, but Robinson is a piece the Dolphins can’t afford to lose.
The former first-round pick was productive for the Dolphins in his rookie season, logging 26 tackles, six sacks and four passes defended while playing in all 17 games.
Miami has invested more in their defensive front this offseason. They drafted defensive tackle Kennth Grant in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft and signed defensive end Zach Sieler to a contract extension. Additionally, edge rusher Jaelan Phillips is returning after tearing his ACL in Week 4 of the 2024 season. Losing Robinson for an extended period could prove costly.
Similarly, the Colts have made some changes to their offensive line. Left tackle Bernhard Raimann signed a new contract worth $100 million, Braden Smith restructured his contract and Matt Goncalves and Tanor Bortolini are in line to be the new starters at right guard and center, respectively.
If Miami is down a key edge defender in the opener, it’s advantage Colts in the trenches as they look to snap their 11-year run without a Week 1 victory.