Tag: Ryan Kelly

PFF ranks Colts offensive line among elite units

The Colts offensive line is back to being elite.

The Indianapolis Colts offensive line seems to have found its identity as a bullying unit once again, and Pro Football Focus placed them among the elites in their latest ranking.

Finalizing the offensive line rankings from the 2023 season, the Colts came in at No. 3 at the end of the campaign. They slotted in right behind the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions while sitting just ahead of the Atlanta Falcons.

3. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Best lineup:
LT Bernhard Raimann
LG Quenton Nelson
C Ryan Kelly
RG Will Fries
RT Braden Smith

Injuries to center Ryan Kelly and right tackle Braden Smith weakened this unit, but when the Colts played all five of their starting offensive linemen — like in the first half against the Texans in Week 18 — it was one of the best and most improved front fives in the NFL.

The Colts’ offensive line allowed just 15 sacks all season, the third fewest in the NFL.

Best player: Bernhard Raimann
Raimann was one of the breakout players of the 2023 NFL season, ranking fifth among left tackles in PFF overall grade (82.3).

After a few seasons of mediocre to poor play from the offensive line, the unit stepped it up big time during the first season under head coach Shane Steichen and new offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr.

The latter deserves a lot of credit for turning the unit around from where they were just one year ago, and it helps that Quenton Nelson and Ryan Kelly found their forms as tone setters on the interior.

Though the starting unit only played a handful of games together due to injuries, they were stellar when they were on the field at the same time.

The breakout campaign from Bernhard Raimann proved the Colts may have a cornerstone piece at left tackle for the next handful of seasons while right tackle Braden Smith was a strong option despite an extensively injured season.

At right guard, Will Fries proved worthy of being a starting option. He may not have blown the doors off the opposition, but he certainly provided the Colts with enough value to be trusted upon at right guard.

Adding depth to the unit is the main priority considering the starting five will return in 2024 so there’s a solid chance they will be able to build upon the foundation they set in 2023.

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Colts’ best and worst PFF grades from 2023 season

Checking out the Colts’ best and worst PFF grades from 2023.

Following a surprisingly successful but simultaneously disappointing end to the 2023 season for the Indianapolis Colts, it’s time to take a look back at the top grades from the campaign that was.

Courtesy of Pro Football Focus, the Colts’ highest overall grade on either side of the ball belonged to right tackle Braden Smith, who posted an offensive grade of 83.3. On defense, edge rusher Samson Ebukam led the unit with an overall grade of 84.4. This is using 170 snaps played as the minimum requirement.

The worst grade on offense was owned by offensive tackle Blake Freeland, who finished his rookie season with a 44.2 grade. Defensive tackle Eric Johnson II finished the season with a 30.5 overall grade, the lowest of any player meeting the 170-snap threshold.

Now, a look at the best and worst overall PFF grades for the Colts in 2023:

Colts had no All-Pro selections for 2023

The Colts had no All-Pro selections in 2023, but several players were close.

The Indianapolis Colts were not represented with any selections on the All-Pro First or Second Teams for the 2023 season, but several players were right on the cusp.

While the majority of the time the First-Team selections are what truly stick around, it’s notable when players are voted as Second-Team selections. It’s even noteworthy if a player fails to garner either selection but still receives votes.

The way the system works is the panel of 50 writers vote for each position. If a player is voted on the first team, that vote is worth three points. Second-team votes are worth one point. The players with the most points total get selected.

For the Colts, the following positions received no votes whatsoever for the 2023 AP All-Pro teams:

  • Quarterback
  • Running Back
  • Wide Receiver
  • Tight End
  • Left Tackle
  • Right Guard
  • Edge Rusher
  • Cornerback
  • Kick/Punt Returner
  • Special Teamer

Now, let’s take a look at the Colts players who did receive votes for the 2023 AP All-Pro teams, courtesy of the Associated Press’ Rob Maadi:

Colts vs. Texans: Final injury report for Week 18

The final injury report for the Colts and Texans in Week 18.

The Indianapolis Colts (9-7) and Houston Texans (9-7) released their final injury reports Thursday ahead of the Week 18 matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Here’s a look at the final injury report for the Colts in Week 18:

Notes

  • C Ryan Kelly practiced in a limited fashion, giving him a chance to play this weekend. His status is still very much up in the air.
  • CB Chris Lammons didn’t practice all week and even though he’s questionable, it’s difficult to see him playing.
  • LG Quenton Nelson was a limited participant for the final two practices but is still listed as questionable.
  • RT Braden Smith, CB Kenny Moore II and RB Zack Moss are all questionable but should be expected to play considering they logged full practices twice this week.

Here’s a look at the final injury report for the Texans in Week 18:

Notes

  • DE Jonathan Greenard leads the Texans with 12.5 sacks and will not play.
  • With WR Noah Brown out, Nico Collins is the main wideout to focus on.

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Colts’ Quenton Nelson named AFC Pro Bowl team

Big Q is the lone Colts representative on the AFC Pro Bowl team.

Indianapolis Colts left guard Quenton Nelson was named to the AFC team for the 2024 Pro Bowl games, the league announced Wednesday night.

Nelson is the only Colts player to be represented on the starting squad while four others were named alternates. Those include defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., center Ryan Kelly and linebacker Zaire Franklin.

Nelson certainly deserves the honor of being a Pro Bowler for the sixth time in his career. He’s enjoying a strong bounce-back season both in pass protection and as a run blocker.

 

There certainly can be an argument made that Buckner and Franklin were snubbed. Buckner has been the engine of a Colts defense that set the franchise record for sacks in a season. Despite continuously seeing high rates of double teams, Buckner has produced consistently.

Franklin leads the NFL in tackles (170) and the AFC in solo tackles (104). Both Baltimore Ravens linebackers Roquan Smith (84) and Patrick Queen (78) both have fewer solo tackles but were named starting inside linebackers.

Pittman Jr. is enjoying a career season. Entering the finale, he has 104 receptions for 1,108 yards and four touchdowns. His reception and yardage totals are both career-highs. His receptions are third among AFC wideouts behind only Tyreek Hill (112) and Keenan Allen (108), and his yardage ranks sixth-best among all AFC wideouts.

Kelly is also enjoying a bounce-back season despite missing three games due to concussions. He has been one of the best centers in terms of pass protection this season, and he’s held up very strongly in the run game.

We’ll see if any of these alternates get added to the starting squad between injuries and Super Bowl players not being able to attend.

For now, the Colts will be represented by just one player.

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Colts vs. Texans: Updated injury report for Week 18

Here’s the updated injury reports for the Colts and Texans on Wednesday.

The Indianapolis Colts (9-7) and Houston Texans (9-7) released their updated injury reports Wednesday ahead of the Week 18 matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Here’s a look at the updated injury report for the Colts in Week 18:

Notes

  • The Colts returned to practice Wednesday after starting the week with a walkthrough.
  • C Ryan Kelly continues to miss practice and was seen wearing a walking boot. He still has a chance to play, but it’s something to keep in mind with one practice remaining this week.
  • Encouraging news that CB Kenny Moore II, G Quenton Nelson, RB Zack Moss and RT Braden Smith all practiced in full Wednesday.
  • The Colts will release the final injury report with designations Thursday afternoon.

Here’s a look at the updated injury report for the Texans in Week 18:

Notes

  • All four defensive linemen on the Texans injury report are the team’s sack leaders. They have all yet to practice entering Thursday.
  • Starting LT Laremy Tunsil returned to practice Wednesday.
  • Houston could be without two of its three starting wide receivers with Noah Brown and Robert Woods listed as DNPs entering the final practice day.

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Colts’ Ryan Kelly wearing walking boot at practice

Ryan Kelly was spotted wearing a walking boot at Wednesday’s practice.

Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly did not practice Wednesday and was seen wearing a walking boot on his left ankle/foot.

Kelly suffered an ankle injury during the Week 17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, but he was able to play every snap of the game so it isn’t clear how severe the injury is.

The Colts could simply have him wear the boot as a precaution throughout the week, but it’s certainly something to monitor considering the stakes at play in Week 18.

Kelly has returned to his Pro Bowl level of performance this season despite missing three games due to injuries, both of which were concussions.

Monitoring Kelly’s practice level for Thursday will give us a better idea of whether he can play against the Texans on Saturday night so there’s still a chance he will suit up.

If he can’t, the Colts will again lean on second-year undrafted center Wesley French, who has made three starts this season.

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Colts vs. Texans: Initial injury report for Week 18

Here’s a look at the initial injury report for the Colts and Texans in Week 18.

The Indianapolis Colts (9-7) and Houston Texans (9-7) released their initial injury reports Tuesday ahead of the Week 18 matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Here’s a look at the initial injury report for the Colts in Week 18:

*DNP = Did Not Participate — LP = Limited Participant — FP = Full Participant*

Notes

  • The Colts held a walkthrough Tuesday so participation levels are estimations.
  • C Ryan Kelly and G Quenton Nelson emerged with some injuries from Week 17 but were able to finish the game.
  • CB Kenny Moore II was inactive in Week 17 but would have started the week as a limited participant.
  • It seems Braden Smith avoided a setback in his first game returning from a knee injury, but he should still be monitored the rest of the week.

Here’s a look at the initial injury report for the Texans in Week 18:

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Colts’ Ryan Kelly injures ankle vs. Raiders

Colts’ Ryan Kelly suffered an ankle injury against the Raiders.

Update: Colts center Ryan Kelly returned to the game in the third quarter. You can read the original post below.

Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly sustained an ankle injury and is questionable to return for Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

When the Colts came out of the locker room for halftime, it was reported that Kelly was dealing with an ankle injury. Wesley French will replace him at center.

Kelly has dealt with a few injuries this season as has most of the offensive line save Quenton Nelson.

We will update this post with any change to Kelly’s status.

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Colts vs. Titans: Updated injury report for Week 13

Here’s the Thursday injury report for the Colts and Titans in Week 13.

The Indianapolis Colts (6-5) and Tennessee Titans (4-7) released their updated injury reports Thursday ahead of the Week 13 matchup at Nissan Stadium.

Here’s a look at the updated injury report for the Colts in Week 13:

*DNP = Did Not Participate — LP = Limited Participant — FP = Full Participant*

Notes

  • The Colts held an actual practice Thursday after starting the week with a walkthrough.
  • CB Julius Brents still has not practiced since injuring his quad in Week 7.
  • C Ryan Kelly has practiced in full for two consecutive days since suffering his setback. Friday will be a strong suggestion about his status for the weekend.
  • RB Jonathan Taylor is expected to miss the next few weeks after having surgery on his thumb.
  • WR Isaiah McKenzie is expected to play after being upgraded to a full participant Thursday.

Here’s a look at the updated injury report for the Titans in Week 13:

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