Colts Notebook: Bernhard Raimann Passes Concussion Protocol

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INDIANAPOLIS – The Colts welcome Josh Allen and the Bills to Lucas Oil Stadium for the first time since the 2018 season (a game in which Allen missed due to injury).

In Week 10, the Colts (4-5) and Bills (7-2) will face off at 1:00 PM.

What happened at the Colts first practice of the Week?

Ryan Kelly has played through calf/knee injuries this season and the decision was made to send him to injured reserve (will miss a minimum of 4 games) on Tuesday. It’s the knee injury that is sending Kelly to IR, and Shane Steichen said the veteran center could return this season. That brings rookie Tanor Bortolini back into the starting lineup and also stirs up more of a big picture question: Is this the end to Kelly’s career with the Colts? Kelly, 31, is in a contract year. Bortolini was drafted in the 4^th round back in April. The Colts stayed away from a contract extension with Kelly this offseason. With this injury news, Kelly will have now missed (at least) 9 games in the last two seasons. Kelly is the longest tenured Colt, who makes a lot of money at a position where the team just drafted a potential future starter. The writing is there that this could very well be the end in Indy for Kelly, although the injury isn’t season-ending.

Left tackle Bernhard Raimann has cleared concussion protocol for practice (the Colts clarified Shane Steichen’s earlier comments from Wednesday’s press conference), so his return is on track to come Sunday against the Bills. But further steps in the concussion protocol remains. Honestly, rookie Matt Goncalves wasn’t too noticeable of a problem in making his first ever NFL start against the Vikings. But with a first-time rookie starter at left tackle the Colts played a ton of 2-tight end personnel to help. So a return of Raimann should help with deploying more skill guys. Raimann was a full participant during Wednesday’s practice.

For the 7^th time in 8 years under Chris Ballard, the Colts did not make an in-season trade. Shane Steichen was asked on Wednesday if he and Ballard had trade deadline discussions. “I talk to Chris all the time,” the head coach said. “But Chris handles the personnel department. I trust everything those guys are doing.”

Since Michael Pittman Jr. and the Colts debated placing him on injured reserve, his efficiency as a wideout has waned. He’s caught 8 of his last 20 targets, including just 2 of his last 10 targets. The Colts have said they are not having a “Pittman Jr. to IR” conversation, but no one can ignore the struggles he has had in battling through this back injury. Does this mean more targets for other wideouts? Increased playing time for AD Mitchell? The tough reality is the Colts need to have a conversation about MPJ playing through a clearly limiting back injury. Pittman Jr.’s playing time did go from 95 percent of the offensive snaps against the Texans to a season-low 76 percent against the Vikings. Was that due to the back issue? “No, not necessarily,” Steichen said on Wednesday. “Obviously, he’s dealing with some stuff, but obviously we are trying to get him the ball as well…He knows his body more than anyone. He’s battling through it. He’s showing the toughness, wants to be out there with his teammates. So we are just taking it week-by week.” Pittman Jr. (back, finger) was 1 of 2 Colts not to practice on Wednesday (Zaire Franklin-ankle was the other DNP).

What is a normal week looking like for Anthony Richardson in the backup role? “Preparing like he’s the starter,” Steichen said. “Getting his work in, meetings, everything, rehab, all those different things, treatment, watching film, the process stays the same…Obviously you don’t get the reps in practice but you still have to be ready, locked in an engaged, walk-throughs taking the mental reps.” On Wednesday, Richardson met the media and shared his thoughts on what the last week has been like for him.

The Colts have rushed for less than 100 yards in 3 of 9 games this season. All 3 of those games with Joe Flacco starting (with Jonathan Taylor missing 2 of those games). How do they jumpstart the rushing game with Flacco under center? “I think it starts upfront with fundamental, details, making sure we are on our assignments, alignments,” Steichen said. “We have to be physical up front. That’s where it starts. And obviously looking at what they are playing defense from a front standpoint, what can get us going? Obviously we want to create the explosiveness but even the 4 or 5-yard runs staying efficient in the run game is going to help.” The Bills have had some run defense issues, ranking 26^th in yards per carry allowed.

Colts hope for this week? Perhaps the Bills are overlooking Indy with a home game vs. the undefeated Chiefs waiting in Week 11. Also, while the Colts have hardly beat any marquee quarterback in the last year-plus, they do tend to have one game a season in recent years where they get such a win (Lamar Jackson in 2023, Patrick Mahomes in 2022, Josh Allen in 2021, etc.). Is this that type of game?

The Bills are 7-2 on the season, and have the best point differential in the AFC (plus 87 points, 19 better than any other AFC team). Buffalo has been an outstanding 2^nd half team, outscoring opponents 139-65 after halftime. The Bills lead the NFL in turnover differential (+11).

Josh Allen has made 102 starts in his NFL career, but Sunday will be his first inside of Lucas Oil Stadium. Allen was hurt during the 2018 year, which was Buffalo’s last trip to Indy. Allen is on anyone’s MVP ballot through the first half of the season, having tossed 17 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions. Containing Allen to in-pocket plays is a must for the Colts as his Houdini-like ability makes him one of the toughest players in the NFL to prepare for.