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Indianapolis Colts starting center Ryan Kelly is expected to be out a few weeks following an elbow injury he suffered during Thursday’s practice:
Ryan Kelly was run into accidentally by Marlon Mack yesterday. Might miss a “couple weeks.” #Colts
— George Bremer (@gmbremer) July 30, 2021
Meanwhile, starting quarterback Carson Wentz missed Friday’s practice with a foot injury—following a felt ‘twinge’ on Thursday, and the team is still evaluating his status:
After Thursday’s practice, Carson Wentz felt a “twinge” in his foot, per OC Marcus Brady, and the team is still evaluating how serious it is.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) July 30, 2021
We’ll see what happens, but wouldn’t be surprised if adding a veteran QB is on the table.
Lastly, rehabbing starting linebacker Darius Leonard (ankle) was performing some light practice work on the side with a Colts trainer:
Colts LB Darius Leonard, who we’ve seen in a jersey every day at camp, is working with a trainer on the side field here at training camp. Getting closer to a return.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) July 30, 2021
Other key Colts, who reportedly did not practice on Friday because of rest, were Quenton Nelson, Jack Doyle, and T.Y. Hilton.
It doesn’t appear as though Kelly’s injury is overly serious, but it is something that will keep him out of training camp practices for the next couple of weeks.
It means 2nd-year interior offensive lineman Danny Pinter will have a chance to step up in his absence with the first-team offense and gain valuable experience.
Wentz’s injury is the greater concern, and here’s hoping it’s nothing significant—as he was in pain this morning after finishing yesterday’s practice. He absolutely needs the practice reps to get better familiar with the offense and his new teammates.
Not to mention, the Colts don’t exactly have proven veteran depth behind him with 2nd-year quarterback Jacob Eason and rookie Sam Ehlinger—neither of whom has even taken a snap in preseason yet during their early pro careers.
Wentz was benched with the Philadelphia Eagles late last season, but he hasn’t missed games because of injury since 2018, when he missed 5 games because of a back injury/ACL rehab.
Here’s hoping that continues to be the case.
Update (1:06 PM EST): ESPN’s Adam Schefter now reports that Wentz is out “indefinitely”—as the Colts determine the full extent of his foot injury with further testing:
Colts' QB Carson Wentz is out indefinitely as he undergoes further testing on a foot injury that he suffered at the end of Thursday's practice, per @MikeWellsNFL and me.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 30, 2021
Colts' second-year QB Jacob Eason took the starter reps at today's practice, with Sam Ellinger as his backup.