The Indianapolis Colts have been going through the first week of training camp without a number of starters on both sides of the ball. Among those players has been third-year right tackle Braden Smith.
The Auburn product has yet to put the pads on since the Colts started going fully in practice on Aug. 16. He;s been dealing with a foot injury and one that the Colts didn’t want to push for a return.
While Smith has missed essentially the first week of practice, head coach Frank Reich told reporters Saturday that he believes Smith will be returning soon.
Reich thinks RT-Braden Smith (foot) is ‘real close’ to getting back.
Le’Raven Clark getting the reps with the starting unit. Reich think Clark is gaining some confidence playing with the starters.
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) August 22, 2020
Though he may not get as much recognition as his other teammates, Smith is a big reason the Colts offensive line was able to flip the switch seemingly overnight during the 2018 season.
He stepped in at right tackle during a primetime game against the Patriots and never looked back. Now, he has the chance to truly become one of the league’s top right tackles at the age of 24.
The Colts will need their offensive line to stay healthy as much as possible in 2020, especially given the questionable depth they have behind the starters.
Until Smith returns, Le’Raven Clark will be seeing the starting reps at right tackle. But this situation appears to be heading in the right direction.