Dennis

Kelly

Kelly started 15 games for the Eagles from 2012-2015 and has started a combined 39 games for the Titans, Packers, and Colts since 2016. A former fifth-round pick from the 2012 draft class, Kelly will likely compete for a backup role with the Eagles in camp.

They are amongst the Colts’ cuts to get down to 53 players. Both veterans had dealt with injury this summer. Kelly has major experience and versatility and could resurface at some point this season. Also released/waived were LB Brandon King, RB Phillip Lindsay, DT R.J. McIntosh, S Will Redmond, DT Curtis Brooks, CB Anthony Chesley, DE Kameron Cline, QB Jack Coan, DB Marcel Dabo, WR Ethan Fernea, WR DeMichael Harris, TE Michael Jacobson, TE Nikola Kalinic, OT Jordan Murray, wr Samson Nacua, RB D’Vonte Price, LB Forrest Rhyne, OG Josh Seltzner, LB James Skalsi, CB Marvell Tell, OT Ryan Van Demark, LB Sterling Weatherford, CB Chris Wilcox, DT Chris Williams and RB Ty’Son Williams.

Kelly was brought in to provide depth at the tackle position, but his latest ailment will “have him out for a little bit” according to coach Frank Reich. The line suffered further injuries with Carter O’Donnell and John Hurst. Coach Reich said “we’re evaluating” when asked about his plans going forward.

Kelly and third-round rookie Bernhard Raimann look like the contestants to be Colts left tackle this season. While Kelly has been a bit of a journeyman swing tackle, he played well in an extended opportunity with the Titans in 2020. He also held up as a backup starter for the Packers last season. It’s a good security blanket for Matt Ryan.

With Eric Fisher and Julien Davenport gone, the Colts tackle chart beyond Braden Smith is barren. Kelly, 32, had some good games for the Packers last year and didn’t look all that stretched in 2020 when he was the main starter at the position for the Titans. It’s kind of a surprise his market has been so slow to develop. He’d be a decent fill-in starter for Indianapolis.

Kelly, 31, started all 16 games at right tackle for last year’s Titans and has appeared in 104 career contests, making 47 starts. He’s an ideal swing tackle and gives the Packers a solid veteran should LT David Bakhtiari not be ready for the start of the season coming off his December 31 torn ACL. Kelly was Pro Football Focus’ No. 50 tackle out of 79 qualifiers last season. Billy Turner is the Packers’ right tackle, but he does have position flexibility to guard.

The Titans cut Kelly one season into a three-year, $21 million extension. He started all 16 games at right tackle but teams are looking at him for a swing role. Kelly would give the Ravens a veteran to help replace Orlando Brown after trading Brown to Kansas City. Baltimore has also been in talks with free agent OT Alejandro Villanueva.

With the Titans since 2016, Kelly signed a “three-year, $21 million” deal last spring and started all 16 games at right tackle last season. He was good, but not great, as Derrick Henry crossed the 2,000-yard mark on the ground. Ryan Tannehill’s pass protection did take a big step backward in 2020. Kelly’s release frees up $5.2 million in cap space. Although he’s now on the wrong side of 30, Kelly’s experience should earn him plenty of looks as a swing tackle.

Kelly will receive $8.75 million in guarantees as the Titans look to replace RT Jack Conklin. Kelly hasn’t been an every-week starter in years, but the Titans gave him borderline starter money anyway. This will be the 30-year-old’s fifth season in Tennessee. Consider the Conklin to Kelly swap as a slight downgrade for Derrick Henry.

Kelly has been sidelined since Week 1 with a mysterious illness that has caused him to drop 15 pounds. The practice shows he is on the road to recovery, but Kelly is still unsure what happened. "(Doctors) have some guesses, but they’re just as confused because they can’t pin it down either,” Kelly said. “It’s annoying, for sure, not knowing what the hell is going on with you. But there’s only so much you can control anyway.” There is some hope Kelly can return this week, but he might need some time after losing so much weight.