INDIANAPOLIS — There’s a slight chance the Indianapolis Colts’ offensive line encounters yet another adjustment for Sunday’s meeting with the New York Jets.
Right tackle Braden Smith has been downgraded to questionable for personal reasons. He has been limited in practice much of the season with a knee injury, but this is the first time that’s not been included on the injury/participation report.
Despite the downgrade on the injury report, Smith made the trip to New York/New Jersey for the game. That’s a sign he’s likely to play.
If Smith is unable to play, Blake Freeland likely would step in and make his first start of the season. He’s been on the field for just one offensive snap and four special teams snaps in year two. Freeland has been a healthy scratch five times.
As a rookie, Freeland appeared in 16 games and started nine. However, the 2023 fourth-round pick had an uneven preseason and training camp and fell down the depth chart.
The Colts already are going with three rookie starters on the offensive line for the first time since 2016.
Third-round pick Matt Goncalves is at left tackle in place of injured Bernhard Raimann (knee), fourth-round pick Tanor Bortolini is at center for injured Ryan Kelly (knee) and undrafted rookie Dalton Tucker has replaced Will Fries (leg) at right guard.
To prepare for Smith’s possible absence, the Colts elevated guards Josh Sills and Atoni Mafi to the active roster from the practice squad.
