Will the Indianapolis Colts have a different starting right guard for their Week 13 matchup with New England?
When asked about that topic on Wednesday, head coach Shane Steichen was non-committal.
“We’ll see,” Steichen told reporters when asked if a change was coming. “We are looking at some things.”
At right guard for the Colts since Will Fries was placed on injured reserve is undrafted rookie Dalton Tucker.
Particularly in recent weeks, Tucker has really taken his lumps. During the last three games, he’s surrendered 13 pressures and two sacks. Out of 72 eligible guards during that span, Tucker ranks 72nd in PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency metric and is 60th in run-blocking grade.
Whether against the run or the pass, that all to frequent interior pressure that Tucker is surrendering a great way for a defense to wreck any play.
Certainly, all of the Colts’ offensive line struggles in recent weeks don’t fall squarely on Tucker’s shoulders, it’s been a group effort as we saw against Detroit, but he has been a regular contributor to those woes.
With the run game not able to consistently get going, it puts the offense in long down-and-distance situations, placing more of the burden on the passing game. Then when it comes to steady pressure on the quarterback, we all know how devastating that can be to the timing and rhythm of the play.
If the Colts are going to make a change, there are likely two options. One is to elevate Mark Glowinski from the practice squad.
Glowinski was signed to the Colts practice squad on November 21st and is a very familiar face with 59 of his 124 career NFL appearances having come at right guard with the Colts between the 2017-2021 seasons.
Most recently, Glowinski played 520 snaps with the New York Giants during the 2023 season.
The other option, as long as Bernhard Raimann is healthy and back at left tackle, is the Colts could move Matt Goncalves to right guard. Goncavles played mostly tackle in college but does have some left guard experience and is a player who the Colts believe could play both guard and tackle spots if needed.
Danny Pinter could have been another option, but with Tanor Bortolini in concussion protocol currently, Pinter could end up starting at center.
Regardless of what route the Colts go, they need improved play from the right guard spot and the offensive line as a whole. Any chance of consistent success for the offense begins in the trenches.