The Indianapolis Colts have ruled center Ryan Kelly out for the remainder of the game against Tennessee. He is exiting due to a calf injury.
Kelly had missed the previous two games while dealing with a neck injury before returning to practice this past week and being available for today’s game.
After three games, Kelly had surrendered only three pressures and no sacks, according to Pro Football Focus. By ESPN’s pass-block win rate metric, he ranked ninth among all centers. Kelly was also 15th in PFF’s run-blocking grade.
In his place will be Tanor Bortolini, who has filled in well during Kelly’s absence. Coming into this game, Bortolini was credited with giving up only one pressure in 86 pass-blocking snaps, according to PFF, and ranked 13th out of 32 centers in run-blocking grade.
As expected, it’s been tough sledding on the ground in this game against a very stout Titans’ front. In the fourth quarter, the Colts are averaging just 3.5 yards per carry as a team, and that figure is very much bolstered by a big run from Tyler Goodson.
In pass protection, the Colts have held up well, not allowing any sacks at this point, according to ESPN, and only two quarterback hits. The Titans’ came into this game ranked in the bottom-third in pressure rate through Week 5.