Colts, Rams Injury Report: Offensive Line Suddenly in Trouble
The Indianapolis Colts got some great news on Friday as star rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson was cleared from the concussion protocol in time to start on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.
However, they were forced to take the good with the bad as starting left tackle Bernhard Raimann joined the injury report with his own concussion, which rules him out this week. Center Ryan Kelly also did not pass through the protocol, causing him to be out as well.
In total between the Colts and Rams, six players have been listed as questionable while two are out.
COLTS
WEDNESDAY
- Did Not Participate — DT DeForest Buckner (groin), G Quenton Nelson (toe)
- Full Participant — CB Dallis Flowers (back), C Ryan Kelly (concussion), QB Anthony Richardson (concussion)
THURSDAY
- Did Not Participate — DT DeForest Buckner (groin), G Quenton Nelson (toe)
- Limited Participant — QB Sam Ehlinger (right shoulder)
- Full Participant — CB Dallis Flowers (back), C Ryan Kelly (concussion), QB Anthony Richardson (concussion)
FRIDAY
- Did Not Participate — DT DeForest Buckner (groin/back), QB Sam Ehlinger (right shoulder), C Ryan Kelly (concussion), OT Bernhard Raimann (concussion), OT Braden Smith (wrist), DT Grover Stewart (foot)
- Full Participant — CB Dallis Flowers (back), G Quenton Nelson (toe), QB Anthony Richardson (concussion)
QUESTIONABLE — DT DeForest Buckner, QB Sam Ehlinger, G Quenton Nelson
OUT — C Ryan Kelly, OT Bernhard Raimann
Raimann and Kelly have already been declared out while DeForest Buckner, Sam Ehlinger, and Quenton Nelson are all questionable.
Buckner hasn't practiced this week and got a back designation added to his preexisting groin injury. Nelson has had his injury for a few weeks but only briefly missed some snaps when it first occurred.
Braden Smith and Grover Stewart were new additions to the report on Friday but neither carries a status designation entering Sunday.
With Kelly out, expect to continue seeing Wesley French man the center position while rookie Blake Freeland likely will be tasked with protecting Richardson's blindside for Raimann.
RAMS
WEDNESDAY (estimation)
- Did Not Participate — TE Tyler Higbee (Achilles), OL Alaric Jackson (hamstring), WR Ben Skowronek (Achilles)
- Limited Participant — WR Puka Nacua (oblique)
- Full Participant — OL Joe Noteboom (knee)
THURSDAY
- Did Not Participate — TE Tyler Higbee (Achilles), OL Alaric Jackson (hamstring), WR Ben Skowronek (Achilles)
- Full Participant — WR Puka Nacua (oblique), OL Joe Noteboom (knee)
FRIDAY
- Did Not Participate — DT Aaron Donald (rest), OL Alaric Jackson (hamstring), DB John Johnson III (face)
- Limited Participant — TE Tyler Higbee (Achilles), WR Ben Skowronek (Achilles)
- Full Participant — WR Puka Nacua (oblique), OL Joe Noteboom (knee)
QUESTIONABLE — TE Tyler Higbee, OL Alaric Jackson, DB John Johnson III, WR Ben Skowronek
Tyler Higbee and Ben Skowronek could be a big pair of misses if they are unable to pay, leaving quarterback Matthew Stafford without many reinforcements behind Puka Nacua, Tutu Atwell, and Van Jefferson.
If Alaric Jackson, who Rams head coach Sean McVay said will be a game-time decision, must miss Sunday with his hamstring injury then it may leave LA scrambling for options on an already struggling line.
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