The Indianapolis Colts’ offensive line is facing a significant setback with the ongoing absence of starting right tackle Braden Smith.
Although the reason for Smith’s absence remains unclear, as he is listed with a “personal” matter on the injury report, it appears the issue will persist for a while.
Colts head coach Shane Steichen informed reporters on Wednesday that Smith will miss the Week 15 matchup against the Denver Broncos and may be sidelined for the rest of the season.
“Braden Smith is still dealing with a personal matter. I don’t expect him to play on Sunday, but I won’t go into details. We respect his privacy and support him,” Steichen said.
When asked if Smith might return during the final four games of the regular season, Steichen responded that he was uncertain.
Aside from a difficult performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5, Smith has been a dependable part of the offensive line. The 28-year-old has given up 24 total pressures and four sacks across 431 pass-blocking snaps, with three of those sacks and five pressures coming in the Jaguars game.
Rookie Matt Goncalves, a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, will step in at right tackle. Goncalves has had an inconsistent season in his four starts but has shown enough potential to instill some hope.
With Smith now absent for nearly three weeks, and no clear timeline for his return, the Colts’ hopes of securing the AFC’s final playoff spot are becoming even more challenging.
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