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The NFL opt-out deadline has come and gone, and 67 players have decided not to participate in the upcoming season amid concerns related to Covid-19.

Among the opt-outs are Colts cornerback Marvell Tell, linebacker Skai Moore, and safety Rolan Milligan.

Kevin Bowen stopped by The Fan Morning Show with Jeff & Big Joe for his usual Friday segment to talk about the impact Tell’s decision to sit out has on the Indianapolis defense.

“Sure, you’re one injury away from Marvell Tell playing a lot this season, but think about 2021 and beyond,” Bowen told Jeff and Joe. “Xavier Rhodes, 30 years old on a one-year deal. T.J. Carrie, 30 years old on a one-year deal. Marvell Tell could be your starting corner [come] September 2021. And now he loses a whole year of development for a guy that was making a position switch from college, going from safety to corner.”

Tell played in 13 games last year for a Colts secondary that was ravaged by injury.

“I think it really stings because he is that kind of unique body type, the longer corner that isn’t necessarily what you have in Kenny Moore or somebody like that,” Bowen said.

Throw Rolan Milligan’s opt-out into the mix and there’s some real concern about the depth at both safety and corner heading into the season.

“Those guys [Tell and Milligan], they might not matter now, but they mattered for you at some point last season and that was without the whole Covid depth chart question marks,” Bowen said. “So when you look at 2020, you’re one injury to Xavier Rhodes, or one positive test to Xavier Rhodes, away from really needing Marvell Tell. You’re one injury away to Khari Willis or Malik Hooker from really needing Rolan Milligan as well.”

“So I think secondary depth was a question for this team before this news, and now this news, I think, just makes it a little bit more of a pressing matter.”

 

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