The Indianapolis Colts announced on Saturday that right tackle Braden Smith has been placed on the reserve/non-football illness list.
This means that in addition to not being available for Sunday’s game against Denver, Smith’s 2024 season is now over as well.
Smith missed the Colts’ Week 13 matchup with New England and has been listed on the injury report due to a personal matter.
With Smith out for the year, rookie Matt Goncalves will take over as the team’s starting right tackle moving forward.
As is expected from a first year player, the more reps Goncalves has gotten the more settled in he has become. In the last three games he’s surrendered four pressures and no sacks.
Goncalves does appear to be more comfortable in pass protection as he is still working to generate a consistent push in the run game.
Next to Goncalves will again be Mark Glowinski, who was elevated from the practice squad for the second week in a row to presumably start at right guard.
The Colts offensive line will face a big challenge this week against a Denver defensive line that has been one of the more disruptive units in football, ranking top five in both pressure rate and yards per rush allowed.
With this roster move, the Colts have an opening on the 53-man roster to be filled.