Earlier in the week, the Indianapolis Colts designated both center Ryan Kelly and linebacker Jaylon Carlies to return from injured reserve. Both players will now be questionable for Sunday’s game with Denver.
Carlies was placed on injured reserve with a fibula injury after the Colts’ Week 7 win over Miami. Kelly went on injured reserve with a knee injury after the Week 10 loss to Buffalo.
Kelly was a limited participant in practice all three days while Carlies was a full participant. Carlies would tell The Athletic’s James Boyd on Friday that he will be a game-time decision.
If Kelly can go, he will return to starting center role. If he is unable to play, Tanor Bortolini, who is out of concussion protocol, will get the start against what has been a very good Denver front that ranks among the best in pressure rate and yards per rush allowed.
How the Colts’ offensive line holds up against that unit will be a key factor in how the game unfolds.
Before Carlies’ injury, he had been the Colts’ Will linebacker when they lined up in their 4-3 base and had three linebackers on the field.
Carlies’ presence brings added coverage ability to the position as a former college safety. On the year, he’s allowed just 6.6 yards per catch and been a sound tackler as well. Going into that Week 7 game with the Dolphins, Carlies was one of Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded rookies through six games.
Without Carlies available, Grant Stuard has been the Colts’ third base linebacker, lining up along side of EJ Speed and Zaire Franklin.
When the time comes that either player is healthy and a full-go, they will have to be added back to the 53-man roster, at which point a corresponding roster cut–one for each addition–will have to be made in order to make room.
Once a player is designated to return from IR, a 21 day window opens, and that player can be added back to the active roster at any point during that time frame.