Indianapolis will be missing yet another starting player on their offensive line.
The Indianapolis Colts have placed starting center Ryan Kelly on injured reserve, as reported by James Boyd of *The Athletic*. Although the specifics of Kelly’s injury are still unknown, the veteran center will be sidelined for at least the next four games.
Boyd indicates that Kelly’s injury is not season-ending, and there is hope he could return after the Colts’ bye week. During his absence, rookie fourth-rounder Tanor Bortolini will step in as the starting center. Bortolini has already made two starts this season.
Kelly’s absence adds to the Colts’ offensive line challenges, as left tackle Bernhard Raimann (concussion) and right guard Will Fries (season-ending tibia) are also out with injuries.
Bortolini joins fellow rookies Matt Goncalves (tackle) and Dalton Tucker (right guard) as starters on the offensive line.
Now 31, Kelly signed a four-year, $50 million contract extension with the Colts in 2020. A four-time Pro Bowler with 121 career starts, Kelly is set to become a free agent this offseason. If Bortolini performs well, the Colts may consider keeping the rookie in the starting role for the rest of the season, looking ahead to the future at the center position.
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