INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Colts will soon have their starting center back in the lineup.
Coach Shane Steichen said veteran center Ryan Kelly has been designated for return from the injured reserve. Kelly went on IR last month with a knee injury.
Rookie linebacker Jaylon Carlies has also been designated for return from the IR. The fifth-round pick suffered a fibula injury in Week 7.
Kelly and Carlies are eligible for practice starting Wednesday and could be elevated to the active roster at any point over the next three weeks. They could play as early as Sunday.
Receiver Josh Downs will return to practice on Wednesday, Steichen said, after missing the Patriots game with a shoulder injury. Rookie center Tanor Bortolini, who also missed the Patriots game, has cleared concussion protocol.
The news wasn’t nearly as positive for Braden Smith. The right tackle has missed time due to a personal matter. Steichen wouldn’t go into specifics because he wanted to respect Smith’s privacy.
It’s unlikely Smith will play Sunday against Denver and Steichen said he didn’t know if Smith would return at all during the final stretch of the season.
The Colts (6-7) are on the road against the Denver Broncos (8-5) Sunday for a pivotal game that could very well determine their playoff fate. Both teams are coming off their bye week.