During Tuesday’s training camp practice, Colts’ right tackle Braden Smith returned to 11-on-11 drills for the first time this offseason.
According to Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan, Smith is still being eased in as he didn’t participate during the full 11-on-11 period.
Smith missed offseason programs after undergoing knee surgery, and up until Tuesday’s practice, he had only been going through the individual drills during training camp.
Smith dealt with injuries for much of the 2023 season, appearing in only 10 games. Early on, it was a hip injury that kept him out, but Smith would deal with a lingering left knee injury throughout the year that never quite allowed him to get to 100 percent.
“Coming out of the offseason, had successful surgery,” said Smith back in May when meeting with reporters. “Had some stuff, you know, did some rehab this offseason, feel like I’m in a pretty good spot. Strength is coming back. Just making sure I can get through the season healthy and make sure we’re being smart with things.”
However, when on the field, Smith was still able to play at a high level. He didn’t allow any sacks last season, ranking sixth among all offensive tackles in PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency metric.
In the run game, the Colts averaged 4.6 yards per rush with Smith on the field, according to Joel Erickson, and only 3.9 yards per carry without him.
Bowen added that with Smith back with the starters, it allowed rookie Matt Goncalves to work at left tackle with the second team offense, while Blake Freeland was at right tackle. Goncalves and Freeland are both competing for the Colts’ swing tackle role.
With Smith healthy, the Colts are returning all five starters from last season, a unit that ranked top-10 in pressure rate and yards per carry.
This unit, again, should be one of the better offensive lines in football, and as GM Chris Ballard said earlier this offseason, when it comes to success for a young quarterback, it all starts up front.
“Like I said, protect,” said Ballard. “Block and protect. Just look through the league, just look through the playoff teams and they all can block and protect. I think that’s critical. So that’s one.
“I remember Andrew (Luck) used to tell me all the time, ‘Chris, let’s get me protected. Give me guys who can catch it and get to the right spot, and I’ll make the rest work.’ Most of the good ones that’s how they roll. Do you want the superstar out there? Absolutely. But protection, to me, is always first and foremost.”