Colts Pro Bowl C Ryan Kelly returns to practice

Field Level Media|published: Wed 11th December, 13:37 2024

Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly (78) warms-up on the field Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The Indianapolis Colts designated four-time Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly for a return from injured reserve on Wednesday, opening his 21-day practice window.

The Colts placed Kelly on IR with a knee injury on Nov. 6. The team also opened the practice window for rookie linebacker Jaylon Carlies, who was on IR with a fibula injury.

The expectation is that Kelly will play Sunday when the Colts (6-7) return from their bye week at Denver (8-5). He last played in Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings.

However, starting right tackle Braden Smith (personal), who was inactive in Week 13, will not practice Wednesday and is unlikely to face the Broncos. Head coach Shane Steichen said he's unsure if Smith, 28, will play again this season.

Kelly, 31, has started all 121 regular season and postseason games of his nine-year career, all with the Colts. Kelly earned Pro Bowl honors in 2019-21 and 2023 and was a second-team All-Pro choice in 2020.

Carlies, 23, has 21 tackles and one sack in seven games (three starts) since being selected in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Steichen also said that wide receiver Josh Downs (shoulder) will practice on Wednesday after missing the Week 13 win at New England. Offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini (concussion) is also set to practice.

--Field Level Media

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