Already reeling from a series of disastrous injuries, the Indianapolis Colts have been dealt another devastating blow.
Coach Chuck Pagano told reporters Thursday that center Ryan Kelly, the team's 2016 first-round pick and arguably its best offensive lineman, will need surgery on his foot. Kelly broke a bone in his foot during practice about a week ago.
Kelly likely will be placed on the injured reserve/designated to return list by the Colts after undergoing surgery, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source informed of the situation. Kelly would have to be on IR for six weeks before being designated to return. The Star also noted that backup center Brian Schwenke is still on the team's physically unable to perform list with an ankle issue.
At this point, it's difficult for Pagano to get into backups and backup backups. He'll need help from new general manager Chris Ballard to look outside the building and find some solutions. Andrew Luck could still be a few weeks from coming off the PUP list himself, but when he does, the Colts do not want to put him behind a patchwork offensive line that could end up being worse than the one that allowed 41 sacks on Luck a season ago. In two of Luck's five NFL seasons, he has been sacked more than 40 times.
The Colts' offensive line woes were no secret heading into this year. Long a complaint about former general manager Ryan Grigson, the unit is now enduring more bad luck than ever. Pagano can only hope Kelly is a fast healer.
