Ryan

Kelly

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.

Center Ryan Kelly, who is dealing with a neck injury, is also questionable. Smith was upgraded to a full practice on Thursday after missing Wednesday’s session, putting him in a good spot for Sunday’s game barring any setbacks. Kelly, on the other hand, was added to the report mid-week, which is typically a bad sign. Losing one or multiple starters would not be good for Anthony Richardson, who is in the middle of a two-game slump following his explosive Week 1 performance.

The NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell have been discussing an expansion to an 18-game schedule, an idea the NFL players will likely try to resist. There was already some resistance on the expansion to 17 games a few seasons ago and now Kelly explains fans “shouldn’t know all the injuries that we go through. But they don’t know what it takes to play on Sunday. I just think it’s too many games.” Kelly is hesitant on agreeing to an increased injury risk with more games taking a further toll on players’ bodies. He also explained that ideas like cutting preseason games and changing offseason workouts would give fringe roster players less of a shot to prove themselves. Kelly’s statements show a microcosm of the NFLPA’s sentiments and there is a long road for the NFL and NFLPA to discuss such changes.

Kelly is entering the last year of his contract. He has been with the Colts since being drafted in 2016 and has the desire to stay, saying “it’s my ninth year here, it’s the last year of my contract, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want another one.” The 30-year-old is a four-time Pro Bowler, starting all 111 career games. The Colts have re-signed and extended several of their players this off-season, and Kelly could be next in line.

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.

It sounds like Kelly has a final hurdle or two to clear in the league’s concussion protocol but the team fully expects him to be ready by Sunday. Kelly suffered the concussion in Week 10 and missed the team’s next game, in Week 12 after their bye, because of it. With their offensive line getting healthy, Zack Moss is in line for a strong showing against the Titans.

Kelly suffered the concussion in Week 10’s win over the Patriots but is still working his way through concussion protocol. The veteran center will now miss Sunday’s contest against the Bucs, with Wesley French, who is listed behind him on the depth chart, in line to draw the start. Kelly, a three-time Pro Bowler, will now look to get activated in time for Week 13 against the Titans.

The Colts have had no luck keeping their starting linemen healthy this year and that will continue into Week 6 with Smith ruled out. Center Ryan Kelly will suit up for this game.

While the Colts will be getting Kelly back after a two-game absence, they will also be without left tackle Bernhard Raimann because of a concussion. Blake Freeland will start at left tackle again this week. The fourth-round rookie gave up four pressures and committed one penalty in Week 4.

Kelly, along with Anthony Richardson, remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol. His practice participation suggests Kelly is on track to return to the lineup for Week 4 against the Rams, who sport the league’s sixth best pass rush, per Pro Football Focus.