Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman Ben Ijalana and inside linebacker A.J. Edds will miss the 2012 season after suffering torn anterior cruciate ligaments in their right knees on Sunday, Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star reports.
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Ijalana, a 2011 second-round pick out of Villanova, tore the same ligament last season, ending his rookie campaign after a few dozen snaps in four games as a reserve. According to Tom James of the Terre Haute Tribune-Star, Ijalana's injury history could have the Colts looking to addressing the guard position early in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Like Ijalana, this is the second time Edds has suffered a torn ACL. A fourth-round pick out of Iowa by the Miami Dolphins in 2010, Edds missed his rookie season with a torn ACL in his left knee. He was waived and claimed by the New England Patriots at the end of last year's camp. Edds appeared in two games for New England before he was released and signed back to the practice squad. The Colts signed Edds to their 53-man roster, he had 12 tackles in nine games.
With the Colts transitioning to a 3-4 defense under head coach Chuck Pagano, Edds' injury leaves them thin at the inside linebacker. Beyond starters Pat Angerer and Kavell Conner, the Colts are down to Mario Harvey, Scott Lutrus and Larry Lumpkin, who joined the team after not being selected in the Supplemental Draft.
