When meeting with reporters on Monday afternoon, head coach Shane Steichen announced that center Tanor Bortolini had entered concussion protocol.
Bortolini would play all 55 of the team’s offensive snaps on Sunday against Detroit. With Ryan Kelly still on injured reserve, if Bortolini can’t play this week against New England, Steichen said that Danny Pinter will start.
Bortolini was a fourth-round pick by the Colts in this past April’s draft and has appeared in six games at center this season, playing 349 snaps.
For the most part, Bortolini has held his own. According to PFF’s metrics, he’s allowed seven pressures and no sacks this season, ranking 14th in pass-blocking efficiency among all centers. By PFF’s run-blocking grade, Bortolini ranks 19th.
However, the Colts’ offensive line as a whole has been a major contributor as of late to the inconsistency on the offensive side of the ball. Against the Lions’ specifically, penalties were a major issue, while Anthony Richardson was under pressure often, and Jonathan Taylor averaged only 3.2 yards per attempt.
As a collective unit, the play in the trenches has to improve if the Colts’ offense is going to find that elusive stability.