Colts: Indy could get good look at Danny Pinter if Ryan Kelly is ruled out

The Colts could get a look at 2020 fifth-round pick Danny Pinter if starting center Ryan Kelly is ruled out on Sunday.

We knew that all five members of the Indianapolis Colts’ offensive line weren’t going to stay healthy forever, and the first six games of the season have served as a perfect reminder as to why so many fans have been clamoring for GM Chris Ballard to add more depth, whether it be via trade or in free agency.

The Colts have already gotten a taste of what life is like with one of their studs shelved with injury — left tackle Anthony Castonzo missed Week 5 against Cleveland — and to say they felt the effects of his absence would be an understatement, as the Browns’ imposing front seven exploited that side of the line.

Well, fast forward to the present and Indianapolis could very well be without center Ryan Kelly vs Detroit on Sunday. The fifth-year pro, who’s started 57 games at the position for the Colts since entering the league as the No. 8 overall pick back in 2016, was listed as questionable for Week 8 after suffering a knee injury during practice on Wednesday.

At this rate, it’s anyone’s guess as to whether Kelly will suit up for the game, but if he doesn’t, Indy has an abundance of confidence in rookie Danny Pinter to fill his massive shoes…despite the fact that he hasn’t played center before in an actual game.

"“You’re right, he had not obviously played there,” head coach Frank Reich told reporters. “We always thought that was going to be his natural position even watching his college tape, watching him move and getting to know him as a person. He has the aptitude for that position. So he’s gotten a lot of good work.“From day one here, he started taking center reps and obviously had good work this week. So we have a lot of confidence in Danny (Pinter). Mentally he is ready and physically he’ll be up to the task if he has to play.”"

Those quotes should undoubtedly ease the minds of Colts fans since many have zero idea what to expect from Pinter, who was converted from a tight end to an offensive lineman (right tackle) ahead of his senior season at Ball State. The 2020 fifth-round pick received rave reviews throughout training camp, where he was shifted around more than most rookies, taking reps at both the guard and center positions.

It’s obviously risky business deploying a rookie, for his first NFL start no less, at a position where he has zero game experience, but Pinter’s versatility has the coaching staff feeling good. Given that Kelly missed both practices heading into the weekend and is likely a long shot to suit up on Sunday, we could see Pinter grab his first NFL start.

Colts: What to expect with Darius Leonard’s return vs Lions

Here's what Indianapolis Colts fans can expect when Darius Leonard returns from injury against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.