Ryan

Kelly

Reports surfaced yesterday that this is likely Kelly’s final season in Indianapolis considering he will turn 32 in the coming offseason and is in the final year of his contract. He will make his return to the active roster in time for the team’s Week 16 matchup against the Titans though, which is a solid boost to a unit that has largely underperformed expectations this season.

Kelly is in the last year of his contract and will turn 32 this offseason. The Colts drafted Tanor Bortolini as a potential Kelly replacement this year, and they’ve already had to use him quite a bit as Kelly has missed time with neck and knee injuries. The Colts’ interior offensive line could be a big source of churn this offseason with Kelly and Will Fries entering free agency and Quenton Nelson on a huge cap figure that he hasn’t played up to this year.

Kelly returned to practice last week but did not play in Week 15 against the Broncos. He would be a much-needed addition to a Colts offensive line that has struggled to protect Anthony Richardson in recent weeks. This week the Colts face a Titans defense with a pass rush PFF grades as the NFL’s fifth worst.

Kelly’s return would be a significant boost against the Broncos this week but consecutive LP statuses make his availability a true coin flip. If he is upgraded to Full Participant status on Friday, he will be firmly on track to return from injured reserve in time to provide extra protection against the Broncos’ blitz-happy defense.

Kelly, a four-time Pro Bowl center, has been on injured reserve since early November with a knee injury. His return to the Colts lineup would be a welcomed development for Anthony Richardson and Jonathan Taylor. Pro Football Focus grades the Colts offensive line as the tenth best pass blocking unit and the second best run blocking unit. Kelly could return as soon as this Sunday against the Broncos.

Steichen said center Ryan Kelly has a “good chance” to return after the team’s bye week but was non-committal on Downs’ return. The second-year receiver missed Sunday’s game against the Patriots due to a shoulder injury he suffered in Week 12, but may need more time to recover before returning to the field. The Colts’ passing game was slowed by the absence of Downs, as their wide receivers combined to catch just seven passes for 58 yards and a touchdown on 15 targets. Alec Pierce wound up leading the team in snaps from the slot, with eight, but that’s not where he’s been best utilized over his career. Downs’ return in Week 15 would be a welcomed one as the Colts make a postseason push. We’ll see how things look at the start of next week.

Kelly, a four-time Pro Bowler, was placed on injured reserve last week after undergoing an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee. He’s required to miss at least four games as a result but will be eligible to return in Week 15 Week. Tanor Bortolini filled in for Kelly in the Colts’ Week 10 loss to the Bills and should continue to start in his place until he is eligible to return.

He’ll miss at least four games. Tanor Bortolini figures to take over at center in Kelly’s absence, as he did earlier this year. Kelly played 100% of the snaps in Week 9 and was not listed with an injury.

Kelly had just returned from a neck issue. He was announced as questionable in the third quarter and ruled out in the fourth.

C Ryan Kelly (neck) is inactive. Smith’s presence is at least good news for both Anthony Richardson and Jonathan Taylor. Joining Kelly on the shelf for the Horseshoe are EDGE Genard Avery, QB Sam Ehlinger, OT Blake Freeland, WR Anthony Gould, CB Kenny Moore and EDGE Kwity Paye.