Cross (shoulder) logged a full practice session Thursday.
Cross sat out Wednesday's practice due to a shoulder injury, but his return to full participation one day later suggests that the issue was minor. With that in mind, Cross should be good to take on his usual starting safety role Sunday against the Steelers.
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Colts' Nick Cross: Working through shoulder injury
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Cross (shoulder) did not practice Wednesday.
Cross may have sustained the injury during the Colts' 38-14 win over the Titans in Week 8, when he logged just three tackles (two solo) while playing 80 percent of Indianapolis' defensive snaps. He has two more opportunities to participate in practice this week, and he would not have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Steelers if he were to log a full practice.
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Colts' Nick Cross: Just three tackles vs. Tennessee
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Cross recorded three total tackles (two solo) in Sunday's 38-14 win over the Titans.
Cross' three stops during Sunday's win marked his lowest total of the season. He also played just 80 percent of Indianapolis' defensive snaps, but that's likely a result of the second-half blowout. Through the team's first eight games this season, Cross has tallied 56 total tackles, including 1.5 sacks, and three passes defended, with one interception. He'll look to return to his usual tackling form in the Week 9 matchup against the Steelers.
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Colts' Nick Cross: Produces five stops in Week 6
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Cross finished Sunday's 31-27 win over Arizona with five tackles (four solo).
One of Cross's tackles went for a loss, as he brought down RB Michael Carter in the backfield on the final play of the first quarter. The five total stops were the fewest of the campaign so far for Cross, which highlights how productive he's been. Cross has 47 tackles, including 1.5 sacks, through six games this season.
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Colts' Nick Cross: Monster tackling effort Week 4
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Cross logged 14 tackles (six solo), including 0.5 sacks, during the Colts' 27-20 loss to the Rams on Sunday.
Cross played every single snap for the second time in four games and finished as the game's leading tackler while combining with Adetomiwa Adebawore for a nine-yard sack on Matthew Stafford midway through the third quarter. Cross is now up to 34 tackles through four games, which leads the Colts and is tied for 13th most in the NFL.
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Colts' Nick Cross: Begins running
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Cross (hip) did not practice Wednesday, but he could be seen running and doing change-of-direction drills, the Indianapolis Star reports.
Cross missed practice last week and didn't play in Saturday's preseason game. He'll likely be held out of the final preseason game but is making progress to be ready for the start of the regular season. The 2022 second-round pick broke out with 146 total tackles (87 solo), including 1.0 sacks, five passes defended, including three interceptions, and one forced fumble while playing all 17 regular-season games in 2024.
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Colts' Nick Cross: Misses Saturday's preseason game
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Cross (hip) did not play in Saturday's preseason loss to Green Bay.
Cross is dealing with a hip flexor and has missed time in practice the past week. The 2022 second-round pick broke out with 146 total tackles (87 solo), including 1.0 sacks, five passes defended, including three interceptions, and one forced fumble while playing all 17 regular-season games in 2024.
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Colts' Nick Cross: Not practicing with hip injury
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Cross (hip) is not participating in Sunday's practice, Mike Chappell of Fox 59 News Indianapolis reports.
Cross is dealing with a hip flexor, and he has just under one week to get healthy ahead of Saturday's preseason matchup against the Packers on Aug. 16. The 2022 second-round pick broke out with 146 total tackles (87 solo), including 1.0 sacks, five passes defended, including three interceptions, and one forced fumble while playing all 17 regular-season games in 2024.
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Colts' Nick Cross: Logs seven stops vs. Giants
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Cross recorded seven total tackles (two solo) in Sunday's 45-33 loss to the Giants.
Cross finished Sunday's loss as the Colts' second-leading tackler, trailing Zaire Franklin's impressive 14-stop performance. The Maryland product has been productive in his first full season as a starter in Indianapolis, recording 138 total tackles, including 1.0 sacks, three interceptions and one forced fumble over 16 appearances. Despite the Colts' defensive struggles, Cross has remained a bright spot and is expected to continue making plays when the Jaguars travel to Indianapolis in Week 18.
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Colts' Nick Cross: Records first sack of career
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Cross recorded nine tackles (eight solo), including 1.0 sacks, during Sunday's 25-24 win at New England.
Sunday's game was Cross' fifth with nine-plus tackles over the last seven games, and the sack was his first as a pro. He's second in the league in tackles behind teammate Zaire Franklin heading into the Colts' bye in Week 14.
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Colts' Nick Cross: Snags interception in loss
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Cross had five total tackles and an interception in Sunday's loss at Jacksonville.
Cross didn't pile up the tackle totals of his first three games (39 total tackles), but he came up with an interception. Cross should get plenty of tackle opportunities if the Indy defense continues to struggle against the run.
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Colts' Nick Cross: Busy in Week 2
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Cross recorded 15 total tackles (10 solo) in Sunday's 16-10 loss to the Packers.
Cross was able to pace the team in tackles for the second straight week, securing a new career-high 15 tackles versus Green Bay. Through two games this season, the safety has compiled an impressive 29 total tackles (11 solo) and appears to be on his way to a big year in Indianapolis.
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Colts' Nick Cross: Reaches double-digit tackles
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Cross recorded 14 tackles (eight solo) in Sunday's 29-27 loss to the Texans.
Cross was able to beat out Rodney Thomas for the starting free safety job in training camp and proved why in Week 1. His 14 stops were a single-game career high and may put him on the IDP radar. It'll be worth monitoring his performance in the weeks ahead, starting with Week 2 against the Packers.
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Colts' Nick Cross: Gets start at free safety
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Cross started at free safety opposite Julian Blackmon at strong safety in Thursday's preseason win over the Bengals, recording one solo tackle.
Cross entered training camp as the leader for the free safety job and it looks like he's still set to start opposite Blackmon at either position, as he was notably utilized at strong safety in Tuesday's practice with Blackmon at free safety, per the Indianapolis Star reports. Rodney Thomas and Ronnie Harrison Jr. could also figure into the mix as well, but it looks like Cross will get the starting nod after Thursday's game.
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Colts' Nick Cross: Leader in safety competition
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Cross remains the leader for the starting free safety job, but Rodney Thomas is getting an occasional look with the starters, and Ronnie Harrison Jr. is also getting some first-team reps in training camp, Kevin Bowen of 93.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.
Cross began last season playing mostly on special teams, but he stepped into a starting role for the final three games of the season due to an injury to Julian Blackmon and made a strong impression. Cross doesn't have the starting job wrapped up, however, as Thomas could still be a factor.
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Colts' Nick Cross: Early lead in safety competition
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Cross appears to have have the lead in Indanapolis' free safety competition so far during OTAs, Kevin Bowen of 1075thefan.com reports.
There is still a long way to go, to be sure, but Cross is getting more reps with the first team during OTAs. He is competing with Rodney Thomas and Daniel Scott (knee) for the opportunity to start alongside strong safety Julian Blackmon in the secondary. Cross started just two games in 2023, but he did suit up for 17 regular-season games. The 22-year-old finished the year with 39 tackles (24 solo).
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Colts' Nick Cross: Taking on starting role
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Cross will take over as a starting safety due to Julian Blackmon (shoulder) being moved to Indianapolis' injured reserve list, Nate Atkins of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Blackmon won't be eligible to come back until the week of the AFC Championship at the earliest, so Cross will likely start for the Colts from here on out. In 55 snaps Sunday at Atlanta, he recorded five tackles (four solo).
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Colts' Nick Cross: Limited to special teams
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Cross had two tackles while limited to special teams in Sunday's loss to Jacksonville.
Cross played 18 snaps on special teams but didn't play on defense. He'll be a depth safety and special teams player barring injuries in the secondary.
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Colts' Nick Cross: Loses starting role
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Cross played just one snap on defense and five snaps on special teams in Sunday's Week 3 win over the Chiefs.
Cross, a third-round 2022 draft pick, began the season as the starter at strong safety and played on every defensive snap Week 1. However, he was replaced by Rodney McLeod as a starter. It looks like Cross may be stuck on the bench while being developed. However, he could be more of a factor Week 4 if Julian Blackmon missed time with a sprained ankle.
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Colts' Nick Cross: Starts at strong safety
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Cross started at strong safety and had four tackles in Sunday's overtime tie at Houston.
Cross, a third-round 2022 draft pick, was thrust into a larger role after the surprise retirement of Khari Willis. He held his own in pass coverage, as he allowed all three passes thrown his way to be completed but gave up just 18 total yards, according to Pro Football Focus.
