Quenton

Nelson

Nelson was a limited participant in back-to-back practices to close out the week and should have a chance to suit up in what’s arguably the Colts’ biggest game of the season. In addition to Nelson, the Colts also listed center Ryan Kelly (ankle), cornerback Kenny Moore (back), and running back Zack Moss (forearm) as questionable heading into the weekend.

Nelson missed practice last Wednesday and Thursday before being upgraded to a full session on Friday. He played through a questionable tag on Sunday. He will likely get a similar practice regimen this week. Left tackle Bernhard Raimann missed practice with a concussion.

Nelson did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday but was upgraded to a full session today. He played through the toe issue last week and should do the same versus Baltimore.

Nelson was present at Colts practice but was barefoot and did not go through any drills. The starting guard was battling through a toe injury last week but was able to suit up against the Texans. With starting center Ryan Kelly also not practicing, the Colts could be down two starting offensive linemen against the Ravens in Week 3. With Anthony Richardson (concussion) also hurt, the Ravens defense could be in for a big game on Sunday if the Colts can’t get healthy.

Nelson wasn’t doing much in pre-game warmups, but we would assume he will be out there on Anthony Richardson’s blindside and not just active in an “emergency” capacity. Inactive for the Colts are CB JuJu Brents, DT Adetomiwa Adebawore, TE Drew Ogletree, QB Sam Ehlinger, OT Ryan Hayes, SS Isaiah Land and G/T Arlington Hambright.

Nelson missed the first two practices of the week with the toe issue but was able to get in a limited session on Friday. He looks to be on the right side of questionable for Week 2, though we will need to see the Colts’ inactives on Sunday to be sure.

Nelson’s new deal makes him the highest-paid guard in the NFL and includes $60 million in guaranteed money. Nelson was originally set to play out the final year of his rookie contract before hitting free agency, but the Colts were wise to get this one done early. Nelson has been one of the best guards in the league since entering as the No. 6 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. The five-year vet was named First-Team All-Pro his first three years in the league and was named a Second-Team All-Pro last season. Through 61 career games, Nelson has allowed just four sacks and has been one of the best run-blocking guards in the league. He and the Colts are set to kickoff the season on Sunday at the Texans.

Nelson’s 2022 cap hit is $13.7 million as he’s on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal. A long-term pact seems obvious between the two sides. Ballard quickly squashed a question about moving Nelson to tackle, wondering why you’d move a Hall of Fame guard to tackle. So it appears that the Colts will probably be trying new projects at left tackle this year.

The Colts were operating with a makeshift offensive line against the Cardinals, so having Nelson back is a big boost for Jonathan Taylor. The Colts may also have Carson Wentz under center, despite the quarterback testing positive for COVID-19. Nelson and Wentz would both greatly improve Jonathan Taylor’s chances of a big game against the Raiders.

Already without C Ryan Kelly because of a personal matter and RG Mark Glowinski (COVID), it looks like the Colts will be without their star left guard as well. Those losses represent a big downgrade for Jonathan Taylor, although at this point there does appear to be anything that can slow him down. He will remain a high-end RB1.