Quenton Nelson COVID update leaves Colts scrambling vs Cardinals

UPDATE: The situation has spiraled; 3 more key Colts have joined the COVID reserve list as of Saturday afternoon, including Darius Leonard, who is not vaccinated.

It was always going to be difficult enough to beat the Arizona Cardinals with a full-strength Indianapolis Colts offense.

No matter how much Kyler Murray appears to be struggling at any given time, he’s always one or two big runs away from making you forget all about momentum. Wishful thinking suggested the defense might be able to win this without much contribution from the offense, but…

Without three of their starting linemen? Jonathan Taylor’s job just got much tougher.

Just over 24 hours before kickoff of their biggest game of the year (post-Patriots beating), the Colts announced they’d be without superstar guard Quenton Nelson due to a positive COVID test, pancaking their offense at the last minute.

Colts guard Quenton Nelson is OUT vs the Arizona Cardinals (COVID)

COVID issues are, of course, nothing new to the NFL; the December slate has been affected by the virus’ rapid spread almost across the board. A game without at least one key contributor missing is an impossibility.

Colts fans have been waiting in fear of ill-timed positive tests all year, though. Quarterback Carson Wentz’s vaccination status has been a hot-button issue since camp, and no matter what you believe about his decision, a positive test from Wentz at this juncture will make his return inordinately complicated. He’ll need to leap through hoops others will not if he comes into close contact with the virus.

It also goes without saying that, even if things do not spiral from here, the offensive line is in dire shape entering the biggest challenge Indy’s faced thus far. They’ve already dug out of their hole. Now, there are both playoff implications and expectations to every battle with the league’s elite.

The Colts need a win, and they’ll need to grab it without Nelson, Mark Glowinski (COVID), and Ryan Kelly, who remains out following the tragic loss of his child. That’s three starters off the offensive line — an offense based on running the ball effectively and bleeding clock.

Colts offensive line without Quenton Nelson

Guard Chris Reed was already expected to step in for Glowinski, with youngster Danny Pinter starting at center in place of Kelly. Though you could certainly do worse than Reed, Nelson’s absence means they’ll have to dig deeper, with Matt Pryor or Will Fries also available.

Without perhaps the league’s most effective blocker, Saturday’s Christmas showcase just became a much tougher mountain to climb.

The entire NFL is going through it, sure, but that doesn’t mean that losing Nelson at the final whistle doesn’t sting.

3 Colts players who are trending up entering final month

The NFL is entering the final month of the regular season so let’s look at Colts players who are trending up and can help out Carson Wentz down the stretch.