For the second game in a row, the Indianapolis Colts will be without left tackle Bernhard Raimann.
Following Friday’s practice, head coach Shane Steichen announced that Raimann had been ruled out for the team’s Week 12 matchup with the Detroit Lions.
Raimann exited the Colts Week 10 game against Buffalo in the first half with a knee injury. He has not practiced at all the last two weeks, and as Steichen did a week go, he continues to call Raimann week to week.
With the Colts not having placed Raimann on injured reserve, they must be hopeful that he can return sooner than later.
On the season, Raimann ranks 21st in pass-blocking efficiency out of 81 eligible tackles and 22nd in run-blocking grade, according to Pro Football Focus.
This means that rookie Matt Goncalves will get his third start of the season in place of Raimann.
Even without star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who is on injured reserve, Detroit still ranks 10th in pressure rate this season and 11th in yards per rush allowed.
The Lions’ primary edge defenders have been Josh Paschal and last week, Za’Darius Smith, who the team acquired at the trade deadline from the Cleveland Browns.
Smith took the bulk of the right defensive end snaps in Week 11, which would match him up with Goncalves.
