The Indianapolis Colts have announced that tackle Braden Smith and running back Jonathan Taylor will miss their Week 15 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Head coach Shane Steichen confirmed the news on Thursday, revealing that Smith is dealing with a knee injury while Taylor has a thumb injury.

Smith's knee injury occurred during the Colts' Week 13 victory over the Tennessee Titans. Since then, he has been unable to fully recover, leading to his absence in last week's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Colts will have to make do without Smith's presence on the offensive line, which could impact the team's ability to protect quarterback Carson Wentz.

Taylor, on the other hand, suffered a thumb injury in Week 12 and underwent surgery two weeks ago. Despite hopes of a speedy recovery, Taylor has not been able to return to the field, leaving the Colts without their leading rusher. This absence will put additional pressure on the rest of the Colts' running back depth chart.

In some positive news for the Colts, cornerback JuJu Brents and linebacker E.J. Speed, who were ruled out for last Sunday's game, have shown improvement in their injuries. Brents had been dealing with a quad injury, while Speed had a knee issue. Both players were full participants in Tuesday and Wednesday's practice sessions, and coach Steichen expressed optimism about Brents' chances of playing. If he does take the field, it will mark his first appearance since Week 7.

As the Colts prepare to face the Steelers, these injuries add to their already challenging situation. Indianapolis will need to rely on their depth and adjust their game plan accordingly. The availability of key players like Brents could provide a boost to the team's overall performance.

The Week 15 matchup against the Steelers carries significant playoff implications for the Colts, who are fighting for a postseason berth. With Smith and Taylor sidelined, their absence will undoubtedly be felt. However, the team remains confident in their ability to adapt and overcome these challenges.

The game between the Colts and Steelers is scheduled for Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 8:20 PM ET. The Colts will aim to overcome their injury setbacks and secure a vital victory in their playoff quest.