OL Danny Pinter breaks ankle - out for year
 

https://www.colts.com/news/shane-ste...ut-2023-season

That really sucks!

Well, shit

Depth was an issue before this

not much drop off to french. if at all.


although hopefully we have a different answer

Indy star
 

https://www.indystar.com/story/sport...n/70690921007/

INDIANAPOLIS — A Colts offensive line that was already thin behind the starting lineup has lost an experienced reserve.

Danny Pinter broke his ankle Thursday night against Philadelphia and he’s expected to miss the entire season, leaving Indianapolis particularly thin on the interior of the offensive line as the NFL’s annual roster cuts loom.

The Colts, along with every NFL team, must whittle the roster from 90 players to 53 by 4 p.m. Tuesday.

And the loss of Pinter means Indianapolis has a significant hole at the backup center position behind veteran Ryan Kelly, who has missed most of the past week with a foot injury.


“Danny’s a really good player for us,” Steichen said. “To lose a player like him is really unfortunate for us. I hope he has a speedy recovery.”

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Pinter, the Ball State product Indianapolis drafted in the fifth round in 2020, has been Kelly’s primary backup for the past three seasons, starting four games at center and four games at guard in that time, playing 619 snaps.


His best play has come in relief of Kelly at center.

Without Pinter, who was carted off the field in Philadelphia after another player rolled up the offensive lineman’s left leg as he fell, it’s unclear who would move into the middle. Second-year backup Wesley French took over for Pinter in the game, and veteran backup Dakoda Shepley played center in Dallas last season, although he’s spent most of this training camp at guard.


“We’re working through all that right now,” Steichen said. “Wesley’s taken some snaps at center. There’s a couple of other guys we’re looking at. Without naming a whole bunch of guys, but there’s going to be some stiff competition for those backup roles.”

A few of the names the Colts are discussing likely do not play here. The Colts currently hold the fourth-highest priority for waiver claims, and hundreds of players will hit waivers in the next couple of days, opening the possibility that Indianapolis can find someone from other team’s cuts.


Indianapolis has a handful of other injury situations, including some that could complicate the team’s roster decisions.

The Colts placed linebacker E.J. Speed in concussion protocol after Thursday’s game, but two weeks remain before the start of the regular season, and Steichen said Saturday that he expects former All-Pro Shaquille Leonard to be cleared from the concussion protocol soon.

Rookie cornerback JuJu Brents, who missed the entire spring due to offseason wrist surgery and the first two weeks of training camp due to a hamstring injury, injured a hamstring again in the team’s joint practice against the Eagles.

And then there’s running back Jonathan Taylor, who has been granted permission to seek a trade but also remains on the active/physically unable to perform list. If Taylor’s not healthy or traded by Tuesday, Indianapolis could place him on the reserve/PUP to start the season, knocking him out for the first four games.

That's a bummer. Was hoping he'd be back to his '21 form after moving back to OC. Guessing his days as a Colt might be over.

God.....Bob is dead!

Cut downs are coming. Sign three or so offensive lineman.

I know it was against backups, but the starting OL looked relatively good on Thursday night. Would be surprised to see O'Donnell unseat Fries at some point this season.

The good news is that IND is #4 in line for waivers (any player cut with less than four years of experience). I haven't read around to see who might come available, but we're in our best position for waivers since 2018 (#3).

Reminder: We claimed Mark Glowkinski off waivers from SEA in December of '17.

By the way, here is an article by Bill Polian from just a few days ago explaining the cut-down process pretty well. References his days with the Colts as you'd imagine...

https://www.the33rdteam.com/category...r-cut-process/

There have already been a few recent highly drafted offensive lineman that have been cut. Of course, the reason why they have been cut is because they have been absolutely awful on the field.


2021 1st round pick Alex Leatherwood (college: Alabama) has been waived by the Bears. Chicago is the second team to move on from him. He was originally drafted by the Raiders as a OT. He struggled badly at Tackle so the Raiders moved him to Guard. They waived him after one year and Chicago claimed him. Chicago used him as a reserve last season - he only played in 4 games - and they have decided to move on as well. Big red flag that two teams waived him.

2021 3rd round pick Jalen Mayfield (college: Michigan) has been waived by the Falcons. He was originally drafted as a OT but at the start of his rookie season there were lots of injuries to their interior so he switched to Guard. He suffered a back injury last year and missed the entire season. Over this off season, he was working out at both Tackle and Guard positions.


Additionally, there have been vet depth options released over the last few days including some familiar names such as Le'Raven Clark, Dennis Kelly and Julie'n Davenport.

And more guys will be released between now and Tuesday afternoon.