The Colts' offensive line has been one of the more stable units in the league this season, but that continuity took a hit on Sunday in Jacksonville.
Veteran right tackle Braden Smith exited late in the second quarter with a concussion and did not return. It’s a significant blow for an Indianapolis offense that’s already been forced to adjust after losing starting quarterback Daniel Jones to an Achilles injury earlier this season. Smith had been a steady presence up front, logging over 96% of the team’s offensive snaps heading into the game.
With Smith sidelined, the Colts turned to rookie Jalen Travis, a fourth-round pick who’s mostly seen the field in jumbo packages or late-game situations. Prior to Sunday, Travis had just 37 snaps under his belt-hardly a sizable sample, but enough to show flashes of the athleticism and physicality that made him a mid-round pick.
This marks only the second time all season the Colts have had to shuffle their starting offensive line. The first came when second-year right guard Matt Goncalves missed a game against the Rams due to a foot injury. Otherwise, this group has been impressively durable-a rarity in today’s NFL where offensive line depth is constantly tested.
Now, with Smith in the concussion protocol and the offense already adapting to life without its starting quarterback, the Colts are facing a new layer of adversity. How quickly Travis can acclimate to full-time duty will be worth watching, especially with playoff hopes still very much in play. His development could be a key storyline down the stretch for a team trying to stay afloat in a competitive AFC.