The Indianapolis Colts brought three veteran defensive ends in for workouts Wednesday as they explore options to bolster their pass rush following Micheal Clemons' move to injured reserve.
Indianapolis worked out Carl Lawson, Preston Smith, and David Ojabo, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. The workouts come after Clemons was placed on injured reserve Monday with a serious toe injury. Clemons had played 38 defensive snaps across the Colts' first two games.
Smith, 34, boasts the most substantial body of work among the trio. The 11-year NFL veteran has made 138 career starts and recorded 71 sacks and 76 tackles for loss. He spent most of his career as a starter with the Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers before playing a rotational role for the Commanders last season, when he finished with 0.5 sacks in 13 games.
Lawson, 31, has appeared in 90 games with 34 starts and owns 32 career sacks and 32 tackles for loss. After beginning his career with the Cincinnati Bengals, Lawson signed with the New York Jets but dealt with injuries over the following five years. He amassed five sacks for the Dallas Cowboys in 2024 before spending most of the 2025 season on the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad and appearing in one game.
Ojabo, 26, has played 32 games since the Ravens selected him in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He has garnered 4.5 sacks and two tackles for loss. A first-round talent at Michigan, Ojabo slipped in the draft after tearing his Achilles at the school's Pro Day. He spent the offseason with the Miami Dolphins but did not make the roster at the end of training camp.
The Colts may also rely more heavily on their rookie defensive ends when they face the Houston Texans on Sunday after Clemons' injury. Caden Curry has logged 10 defensive snaps through two games, while George Gumbs Jr. has been inactive for both contests.