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According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Indianapolis Colts are signing former Carolina Panthers offensive guard Chris Reed to a one-year deal:
The #Colts are signing former #Panthers guard Chris Reed to a one-year veteran benefit deal, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 1, 2021
So a year after injuries ravaged the Indy o-line, they continue to amass experienced options: Sam Tevi, Julién Davenport and now Reed, who started 14 games in 2020.
Originally signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent out of Minnesota State in 2015, the 6’4”, 320 pound offensive guard also later spent time with the Miami Dolphins and most recently, the Carolina Panthers organizations.
Reed made 14 starts for the Panthers this past season at left guard.
Per PFF (subscription), in 2020, Reed earned a +63.0 overall grade, which was the 42nd best among all league offensive guards.
In pass protection, the 28 year old guard allowed a sack and 19 total QB pressures during 567 total pass blocking snaps—while committing 3 penalties overall (in both run and pass blocking).
He has made 23 career starts in his 6-year career—having appeared in 47 NFL games.
While the Colts just re-signed OG/OC Joey Hunt, Reed appears to be another quality backup interior offensive lineman—joining soon-to-be second-year offensive guard Danny Pinter in such a capacity as well.
With starting experience, but playing behind both Quenton Nelson and Mark Glowinski at guard, Reed should provide additional depth in the Colts’ interior offensive trenches.