The Indianapolis Colts’ offensive line play has become a full-fledged concern in recent weeks, which is having a negative trickle-down impact on the rest of the offense.
The offensive line unit is one that GM Chris Ballard has invested into heavily and the continuity of having the same starting five from 2023–where this group performed well–to 2024 was supposed to be the catalyst behind an expected high level of play.
Unfortunately, injuries have impacted this unit greatly. Will Fries’ season has been over for several weeks with him on injured reserve. Ryan Kelly is also on injured reserve as well, although the team expects him back at some point, while Bernhard Raimann has missed the last two games with a knee injury.
This has forced the Colts to rely on three rookies, who, like any young players, are experiencing the ups and downs that come with navigating the learning curve that comes in the NFL. But for the Colts, who are now 5-7, time to figure things out isn’t on their side.
The Detroit defensive front would control the line of scrimmage on Sunday. Jonathan Taylor averaged only 3.2 yards per rush, and this isn’t the first game where he’s struggled to get going. In fact, it’s been a trend as of late.
Without a run game to lean on, the Colts’ too often find themselves behind the sticks and in obvious passing situations, putting added stress on the passing game.
Then there are the protection issues. According to Pro Football Focus, Anthony Richardson was pressured on 43 percent of this dropbacks–the fifth-highest rate in Week 12–and often had to make throws with defenders in his lap. Richardson was somehow able to avoid being sacked, but was hit six times.
“Yeah, we’ll look at the offensive line,” said Shane Steichen after the game. “We’ll look at everything. But again, I got a lot of faith in those guys. Man, they’re gonna keep battling like crazy. We’ll be fine.”
Making matters worse on Sunday was that Quenton Nelson had a very uncharacteristic performance, surrendering four pressures, being penalized three times, and not generating steady movement in the run game.
Success for the Colts’ offense was always going to have to begin in the trenches, by that unit creating a run game that can be leaned on and time in the pocket for their young quarterback. However, neither of those elements have been a part of the equation as of late.
So how do things improve? Well, hopefully Raimann returns sooner than later, and Kelly is eligible to come off of IR after the bye week–although Tanor Bortolini has held his own–but at right guard, the Colts are low on options.
Continuing to rely on undrafted rookie Dalton Tucker doesn’t seem like an option anymore, which means the Colts will have to turn to one of their veteran options in either Danny Pinter, Josh Sills or Mark Glowinski.
Whatever the solution is, the Colts don’t have time to waste and need to find it if the offense is going to find any consistency.
