Colts down to seven healthy offensive linemen as Chris Reed (back) returns

GLENDALE, Ariz. — A Colts offensive line that entered Saturday night missing all three interior starters has been hit hard by injury in the first half, leaving Indianapolis with just one offensive lineman left on the bench in case of emergency.

First, left tackle Eric Fisher went down with a knee injury, was briefly examined in the team’s injury tent on the sideline and headed to the locker room, then was declared out almost immediately with a knee injury.

Indianapolis lost veteran guard Chris Reed on the next series. Reed wasn’t unable to get up after a short run, then was forced to the sideline, where Colts doctors diagnosed a back injury and ruled him questionable to return. Reed emerged from the injury tent and started working with backup lineman Carter O’Donnell, trying to get back into the game.

Reed was able to return to start the second half.

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If Reed isn’t able to get back in the game, the Colts are down to just six healthy offensive lineman. Indianapolis entered the game without center Ryan Kelly, who is still away from the team to be with his family following the death of his infant daughter, and guards Quenton Nelson and Mark Glowinski, who were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list earlier this week.

Veteran tackle Julién Davenport, who started four games at the beginning of the season before losing the swing tackle job to Matt Pryor, replaced Fisher, and represents a major problem against Arizona superstar Chandler Jones. Davenport gave up four sacks in 132 pass blocking snaps when he was a starter early in the season, and he struggled mightily.

Rookie Will Fries, who has played just 10 snaps in the NFL, replaced Reed in the lineup at left guard.

Making matters worse for MVP candidate Jonathan Taylor and the running game, Indianapolis also lost tight end Jack Doyle early in the game to ankle and knee injuries suffered on the same play, leaving the Colts without their best run blocker at the position.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts down to 7 healthy offensive linemen against Cards