On Monday, when meeting with reporters, Indianapolis Colts’ head coach Shane Steichen said that left tackle Bernhard Raimann had entered concussion protocol.
Raimann would play all 64 of the Colts’ offensive snaps in Sunday’s loss to the Houston Texans. However, according to the Indy Star’s Joel Erickson, Raimann came into the facility on Monday morning with concussion symptoms.
In order for Raimann to be available for the upcoming game against Minnesota, he will have to clear all concussion protocols.
Raimann entered Week 8 as one of the best pass-blocking tackles in football through seven games. By PFF’s metrics, he had surrendered just one sack, six pressures and was tied for third among all tackles in pass-blocking efficiency. Raimann also ranked top-20 in run-blocking grade as well.
Collectively, the Colts have had one of the best all-around offensive line units in the NFL.
However, in a matchup against a very good Houston pass rush, both Raimann and the offensive line unit as a whole would take some lumps.
Raimann allowed two sacks and six pressures in that game, while quarterback Anthony Richardson was under pressure on nearly 50 percent of his dropbacks, according to PFF.
Next up for the Colts offensive line is a Vikings pass rush that ranks first in pressure rate as well as blitz rate, and under defensive coordinator Brian Flores Minnesota does a very good job of disguising where those pressures are coming from.
My guess is that if Raimann can’t go, rookie Matt Goncalves would get the start.
