As the Indianapolis Colts battle their way through a quarterback controversy and prepare to take on the Buffalo Bills next weekend, they will now face the loss of one of their team captains to injured reserve. It's a major blow to a team that has been battling injuries all season.
Center Ryan Kelly has been placed on injured reserve with a calf injury, meaning he will miss at least four games. Tanor Bortolini, a rookie, will play in his place. According to James Boyd, who covers the Colts for The Athletic, it is not a season-ending injury, and Kelly is expected to be back after the Colts' bye week in Week 14.
The Colts offense have already lost two other offensive lineman to injuries this season; Bernhard Raimann is out with a concussion, and Will Fries with a fractured tibia.
Kelly signed a four-year, $50 million contract extension with the Colts in 2020, and is set to enter free agency this season. In his career with the Colts, he has started 121 games, and is a four-time Pro Bowl selection.
Darren Hall was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 2021. During his rookie season, he appeared in 14 games and tallied one sack, 27 tackles, and three passes defensed. In 2022, he started nine games and appeared in 17 overall; that year, he had 45 tackles, three passes defensed, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. The Falcons waived hall in 2023, and the Colts signed him to the practice squad. At the end of the season, he became a free agent, and signed with the Arizona Cardinals in 2024. He largely played special teams for Arizona, registering one tackle in his four games.
Previously, Hall played as a cornerback, but has used as a safety in Arizona; the Colts press release lists Hall as a safety, possibly insinuating he will continue to play in that position.