The Indianapolis Colts released their inactives for Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers, and there was a surprise name listed in right tackle Braden Smith.
While it wasn’t a huge surprise as Smith was on the injury report due to a thumb injury, it was somewhat shocking because head coach Frank Reich told the media that the third-year offensive lineman was expected to play against the Packers.
However, it seems the Colts couldn’t find a way to protect the thumb enough without causing Smith pain when he was blocking.
“We could not find a way to protect his thumb that he could get comfortable and that he could play,” Reich told the media on Monday. “Hopefully it gets better. We’ll experiment with it every day and as soon as he gets to the point where he can function and do what he has to do with his right hand, then he’ll be back out there.”
In his place, the Colts used a rotation at right tackle. That involved Chaz Green and Le’Raven Clark splitting snaps with the former seeing most of the playing time. While it didn’t crush the Colts to not have Smith, the performances of Green and Clark showed just how undervalued the starting right tackle is.
Seeing as Reich believed Smith was 99% ready to go for the game against the Packers, it appears he should have a good shot to play against the Tennessee Titans in Week 12.
However, he could be on the injury report this week and his status should be monitored as the Colts prepare for a crucial divisional game.
