The Indianapolis Colts could have a starter back in time for a vital Denver Broncos game.
The Indianapolis Colts are fresh off a much-needed victory over the New England Patriots, which saw third-string center Danny Pinter snap the ball. With the bye week approaching, wounded Colts will have plenty of time to return to the field.
Shane Steichen, the Colts’ head coach, believes that starting center Ryan Kelly could return to practice next week. Indianapolis will be preparing for a huge game against the Denver Broncos, which might decide their postseason status.
Kelly was placed on the injured reserve list on November 5th, prior of a Week 10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Kelly was forced to sit out the following four games after being placed on injured reserve. In his place, rookie Tanor Bortolini started three games before suffering a concussion against the Detroit Lions.
The Colts were forced to play Pinter against the Patriots with only their third-stringers. In his first start since 2022, Pinter earned the second-highest Pro Football Focus grade (82.9) for the whole squad this week.
The highest-graded Colts in Week 13 vs the Patriots:
🥇 Andrew Ogletree – 84.5
🥈 Danny Pinter – 82.9
🥉 DeForest Buckner – 82.2
🏅 Bernhard Raimann – 81.5
🏅 Quenton Nelson – 79.6
If Kelly is going to return, the bar has been set. The nine-year veteran must play his finest football in the final stretch to assure both quarterback Anthony Richardson’s safety and the team’s victory.
Kelly has only allowed one sack in seven starts this season (according to Pro Football Focus). Keeping that number as low as feasible would allow the Colts to stack strong offensive line performances toward the end of the 2024 season.
While the team is on vacation, further information about Kelly’s comeback will be available when they return to practice next week.
