Carlies (shoulder) is the favorite to start at linebacker opposite Zaire Franklin heading into training camp, the Indianapolis Star reports. "We think (Carlies) can really ascend," GM Chris Ballard said recently.

EDGE Analysis

Carlies moved from safety to linebacker last season and started six games. He recorded 36 total tackles, including 1.0 sacks, and one pass defended over 231 defensive snaps in 10 games. He underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason and missed spring practices, but he is expected to be ready for the start of training camp.

Carlies (shoulder) didn't practice Wednesday, Nate Atkins of The Indianapolis Star reports.

EDGE Analysis

The second-year pro from Missouri underwent offseason shoulder surgery, so it's no surprise he was unable to practice Wednesday. Carlies appeared in 10 games during his rooking campaign, recording 36 total tackles, including 1.0 sacks, and one pass defended over 231 defensive snaps. Once Carlies returns from injury, he's expected to serve as one of Indianapolis' top linebackers.

Carlies finished with 36 tackles, including 1.0 sacks, along with one defensed pass across 10 contests during the regular season in 2024.

EDGE Analysis

After being drafted in the fifth round of last April's NFL Draft, Carlies worked largely in a rotational role, though he did make six starts. He played more than half of Indianapolis' defensive snaps just once, recording 10 tackles Week 16 against Tennessee. Carlies also endured a stint on IR due to a lower-leg injury but returned in time to play in the Colts' final three contests of the campaign. He'll be in the second year of his rookie contract in 2025.

Carlies recorded 10 total tackles (six solo), including one tackle for loss, in Sunday's 38-30 win over the Titans.

EDGE Analysis

Carlies, a 2024 fourth-round pick from Missouri, made the first start of his young career in Week 16 in place of the injured E.J. Speed (knee). He played 98 percent of the Colts' defensive snaps and recorded a team-high 10 total tackles. Speed could return to the field as soon as Indianapolis' Week 17 matchup against the Giants; however, he's set to hit free agency at the end of the season. Sunday's divisional matchup may have served as a tryout for Carlies, and he impressed throughout the contest.

The Colts activated Carlies (lower leg/shoulder) off injured reserve Saturday and removed his injury designation for Sunday's matchup versus Tennessee.

EDGE Analysis

Carlies has missed Indianapolis' past seven contests while recovering from a lower-leg injury he suffered Week 7 against Miami. He was designated to return from IR on Dec. 11 and, after remaining on injured reserve for last Sunday's loss to Broncos, was able to log a trio of full practices this week. Carlies will likely maintain the same rotational role on defense he held prior to getting hurt, and he had also been contributing on special teams.

Carlies (lower leg) remains on injured reserve and will not play Sunday against the Broncos.

EDGE Analysis

The rookie linebacker was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday after missing six games, but he clearly still needs more time before he can play in another contest. Carlies has played a depth role for the Colts this season, logging 21 tackles (14 solo), including 1.0 sacks, on 137 defensive snaps.

Carlies (lower leg) is expected to be a game-time call for Sunday's Week 15 battle against the Broncos, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carlies called himself a game-time decision after the Colts deemed him questionable for Sunday. The rookie linebacker remains on IR, and he'll need to be activated Saturday in order to be eligible to suit up Sunday. Carlies set himself up for a possible return by logging a trio of full practices this week.

Carlies (lower leg) was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

The rookie linebacker from Missouri sustained a lower leg injury in the Colts' Week 7 win over the Dolphins and has missed all six of Indianapolis' games since. However, Carlies returned to practice Wednesday, opening the 21-day window for him to be added back to the active roster. Expect the 23-year-old to contribute on both defense and special teams once he's fully past his lower leg injury.

The Colts placed Carlies (lower leg) on IR on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Carlies will now have to spend at least the next four games on injured reserve as he works his way back from a lower leg injury sustained Week 7 versus the Dolphins. The rookie fifth-round pick has played a rotational role through seven regular-season appearances, and he's recorded 21 tackles (14 solo), including 1.0 sacks, plus one pass defensed in that span.

Carlies (lower leg) won't play against Houston on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Carlies was injured last Sunday versus the Dolphins and didn't practice at all this week. The linebacker has played a rotational role on defense for Indianapolis this season, and he's yet to log more than half of the team's defensive snaps in a contest. With Carlies out Sunday, Grant Stuard could take up his snaps.