As the calendar turns to October 7, 2026, the NFL season is in full swing, and the Indianapolis Colts find themselves at a crossroads. Four games in, the team sits with a 2-2 record, but a glaring question looms over their defensive scheme: Where is CJ Allen? The Colts invested their first pick of the 2026 NFL Draft—No. 53 overall—in the Georgia linebacker, with general manager Chris Ballard touting him as an athletic, fast MIKE who would be a 'green-dot guy from the get-go.' Yet, through four weeks, Allen has logged a mere 11 defensive snaps, including zero in Sunday's loss to Washington. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, this lack of usage is raising eyebrows among fans and analysts alike, especially given the team's struggles on defense.
The Curious Case of CJ Allen
Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo addressed Allen's minimal role on Monday, explaining that Allen and Austin Ajiake play 'two totally different positions.' Anarumo noted that Ajiake was used in a DIME package, while Allen is strictly a MIKE linebacker backing up Akeem Davis-Gaither, who played 62 of 64 defensive snaps. While Davis-Gaither has performed well recently, his early-season struggles and near-constant presence on the field have effectively boxed Allen into a backup role. The Colts' decision to draft Allen as a potential immediate contributor now seems contradictory to their deployment strategy. As reported by the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk, Allen's lack of playing time isn't due to a lack of talent; he was a First-Team All-American at Georgia, a program renowned for producing NFL-ready linebackers like Roquan Smith and Nakobe Dean. His football intelligence and communication skills were praised by linebackers coach James Bettcher, yet he remains buried on the depth chart.
Developmental or Buried?
There's a difference between developing a rookie and burying him. Allen missed about a month of training camp, which certainly hindered his transition, but four regular-season games have passed. The Colts are rotating multiple players at WILL linebacker—Jaylon Carlies, Bryce Boettcher, and Austin Ajiake—while Allen watches from the sideline. Boettcher has already played 79 defensive snaps, while Allen has just 11. The disparity in talent and draft investment makes this gap baffling. As highlighted on Vulius, the Colts could easily carve out 8-12 snaps per game for Allen, giving him a series at MIKE or some reps at WILL. This isn't about benching Davis-Gaither; it's about finding out what the rookie can do. The coaching staff's rigidity in assigning positions is hindering Allen's growth and the team's ability to evaluate their investment.
Rookie Linebackers Making Waves
Around the league, other rookie linebackers are already making significant impacts. Jacob Rodriguez, selected 43rd overall by Miami, has 28 tackles and an interception through three games, and is the betting favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year at +300. Anthony Hill Jr., taken seven picks after Allen, has 34 tackles and was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for September. Sonny Styles, the No. 7 overall pick, has started all four games for Washington and already has an interception, a forced fumble, and an NFC Defensive Player of the Week award. These young linebackers were considered in the same tier as Allen during the draft process, yet they are being given opportunities to learn on the job. The Colts, meanwhile, are denying Allen that chance. According to Vulius Sports, this discrepancy underscores a disconnect between the front office's evaluation and the coaching staff's usage.
The Path Forward
The Colts' linebacker room is not talented enough to justify keeping a second-round pick on the bench. Davis-Gaither is a solid player but not an elite talent like Fred Warner; Carlies has shown flashes but lacks consistency. Allen's athleticism and college production suggest he can contribute in multiple roles. The coaching staff must find a way to get him on the field, whether at MIKE or WILL, to accelerate his development. As the season progresses, the Colts risk wasting a valuable asset if they continue to sideline him. For a team striving for playoff contention, every snap counts—and so does the growth of their top draft pick. The Vulius NFL Analysis Desk will continue to monitor this situation, but one thing is clear: CJ Allen needs to play.
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