INDIANAPOLIS – Ryan Kelly has come to grips with the precarious nature of the NFL, and life.
The future – shoot, even tomorrow – is guaranteed to no one.
“You play every single play like it’s your last, every game like it’s your last,’’ the Indianapolis Colts’ veteran center said Wednesday.
“You push to the very end and see what happens.’’
Kelly’s immediate future consists of stringing together a few more solid practices and convincing the coaching and training staffs he’s ready to be activated off the injured reserve list and play – start – Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
“I think there’s a high chance,” he said.
Rehab following surgery on his right knee last month to address a torn meniscus and other issues took longer than Kelly anticipated. After missing two games earlier this season with a neck injury, he’s missed the last five games.
“Excited to get back out there,” he said.
Ideally, Kelly returns to his familiar role as the anchor of the offensive line. He’s started 118 games – and three more in the playoffs – since being selected with the 18th overall pick in the 2016 draft, and is the longest-tenured Colt.
But.
Uncertainty clouds his future.
It’s not so much Kelly is 31 and has dealt with neck, knee and calf issues this season. Or that twice during his career he’s missed games with a concussion.
It’s that he’s in the final year of a four-year, $49.65 million extension that has him check in as the NFL’s No. 4 highest-paid center. The Colts took a step at finding Kelly’s possible long-term replacement by selecting Tanor Bortolini in the fourth round of the April draft. The Wisconsin product has stepped in for five of the seven games Kelly has missed.
During the offseason, general manager Chris Ballard invested more than $152 million in guarantees on extensions or new deals for a slew of players: Michael Pittman Jr., DeForest Buckner, Kenny Moore II, Zaire Franklin, Grover Stewart, etc.
Kelly was disappointed he wasn’t included.
Now, it’s conceivable the Colts’ final three games could be his final three in Indy.
“I knew that when I went into the season and didn’t have an extension, right?’’ Kelly said. “It is what it is.
“We don’t know when our time’s due.’’
As he noted, the number of players in the NFL able to walk away on their own terms “is slim to none.
“I don’t know what the future holds,’’ he said.
That fact was cruelly driven home on a personal level Dec. 17, 2021, when Kelly and wife Emma lost infant daughter Mary Kate. The Kelly clan now includes twin boys Ford and Duke.
“I don’t know what happens in ’25,” he said. “I have no idea.”
Given his druthers, a 10th season in Indy would be embraced.
If not here, then somewhere. Kelly still is playing at a high level. He was second-team All-Pro in 2020 and is a four-time Pro Bowler, including in ’21 and ’23.
“I still love the game,” Kelly said. “I miss it when I’m not out there with the other guys.”
Supporting Braden Smith
Circumstances have resulted in the Colts using seven different starting offensive line combinations.
That includes Braden Smith dealing with personal issues for at least the past month. The veteran right tackle missed the week 14 win at New England, and then was placed on the NFL’s reserve/non-football illness list. That essentially ended Smith’s seven season.
Kelly made it clear the team has Smith’s back.
“Having gone through personal stuff myself, you want to hear from people, but as a person on the other side, you don’t want to be overbearing,’’ he said. “You kind of give them their space and let them do what they have to do, heal what they have to have to heal.
“We’re here for him, praying for him; whatever he needs in his journey, in his family’s journey. He’s obviously a long-time brother of mine. He’s doing what he has to do to get right.’’
Kelly noted only individuals in the locker room understand what a player goes through to maneuver from week to week. That includes physical issues as well as personal ones. Physically, Smith has battled an injury to his left knee that required offseason surgery.
“He’s doing what he has to do to take care what he has to take care of,’’ Kelly said. “The Irsays have supported him. The organization has supported him. We support him.’’
Zaire Franklin is a 2018 draftmate of Smith’s. The NFL’s leading tackler was selected in the seventh round (No. 235) while Smith was taken in round 2 (No. 37).
“I know that o-line is a tightly-knit group,” he said. “I’ve been with Braden since we got drafted together.
“We don’t have the closest personal relationship, but he knows I’m there for him and will help in any way I can.”
Injury update
Alec Pierce is in the NFL’s concussion protocol after suffering head trauma at Denver. His availability for the Titans game is in doubt after the veteran wideout did not practice Wednesday.
Cornerback JuJu Brents has been designated to return from IR (knee) and was a limited practice participant Wednesday. The team is hopeful its 2023 second-round pick and Warren Central H.S. product can get back on the field this season.
Brents suffered the knee injury in the season-opening loss to Houston.
“It’s great to get him back,” Shane Steichen said of Brents getting back on the field. “Obviously, a high draft pick for us. Obviously, been battling some injuries.
“Yeah, he needs to get back into the rhythm. It’ll be good for him this week to get out there and practice and see how it goes.”
Roster moves
The Colts were awarded cornerback Ambry Thomas, who was waived by San Francisco. He spent season on IR after suffering a broken forearm in August.
The 2021 third-round draft pick started 11 of 42 games with the Niners. Thomas had 65 tackles, 12 passes defensed and 14 special teams tackles.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.