Veteran Colts tackle Dennis Kelly would like a chance at starting lineup

INDIANAPOLIS — Dennis Kelly wants a chance.

An opportunity to solidify an offensive line that has been the Colts’ weak link, crippling the entire Indianapolis offense.

Kelly, a 32-year-old veteran of 11 seasons, was signed to be the team’s veteran swing tackle, stepping into the lineup in case of emergency at either tackle spot. Injury has not caused an emergency at the tackle position yet, but the way the Colts are playing up front has become so dire that Indianapolis has shuffled the starting lineup in each of the past two weeks.

The veteran would like to get his shot.

“I came here to play,” Kelly said. “Obviously, they were straight-up, early on, I’m more of a swing at this point my career than it was (them saying) you’re going to be the starter or anything like that.”

Kelly has been a starter recently.

He started all 16 games for Tennessee in 2020, then started four games for Green Bay last season.

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With that kind of experience and Matt Ryan tied for the league lead with 21 sacks taken, Kelly was asked if he’s frustrated that he hasn’t been given a shot.

“Maybe a little bit,” Kelly said. “I think if you asked anybody here, they want to play, and they would probably feel like they can play. Obviously, this first month as an offense hasn’t gone the way we wanted it to go. We’re trying to figure out what, where the issue is and how to fix it, how to get back on track.”

For the most part, Kelly focused his attention on the way the Colts offense has played, and the team’s overall desire to fix the issues.

“(I spent) a lot of time in Tennessee watching the Colts here, know how the offense can move and can work,” Kelly said. “We know it’s there, it’s just trying to figure out and find that rhythm, the details. Finding out where we’re screwing up and get rid of that, getting better.”

Indianapolis head coach Frank Reich has been asked about Kelly’s playing time twice in the past week.

“We’re happy to have Dennis on our roster; he adds that veteran presence,” Reich said. “As he was coming off of his injury in training camp, you can see him getting more and more physically comfortable, comfortable in the system. Love that he’s here, and we’ll continue to evaluate.”

Kelly underwent surgery on his knee in the first few days of training camp and missed most of August.

He has been healthy for most of the regular season.

“Probably, realistically, after the Jags game or so,” Kelly said, referring to the team’s Week 2 loss in Jacksonville.

If Kelly is given a shot in the starting lineup soon — Reich has been non-committal about potential changes this week, and hasn’t announced prior shuffles ahead of time — it would likely be at right tackle.

The Colts have installed rookie Bernhard Raimann at left tackle and appear to be committed to the third-round pick for the time being.

The right side of the offensive line might have an opening.

Indianapolis moved right tackle Braden Smith to guard against Denver and slid former left tackle Matt Pryor into Smith’s spot. Pryor has struggled mightily in either role this season, giving up five sacks.

Smith has been the team’s starting right tackle since the 2018 season, but right guard has been a festering problem for the Colts all season.

“One of the obvious reasons. … Braden as a run blocker, he’s elite. He’s one of the best in the league,” Reich said. “So, in an effort to get the run game going, hey, let’s put him inside, he and Quenton (Nelson) and Ryan in there. … It wasn’t that we felt like he wasn’t playing well at tackle. This was run game, and center of the pocket.”

If the Colts kept Smith at right guard, Indianapolis could move Kelly into the position he’s played the most in the NFL.

“Obviously, I have a bunch more experience on the right, so naturally I’m going to feel more comfortable over there, but you know, I’ve played a good amount on the left side, too,” Kelly said.

The left side is currently occupied.

A chance would likely have to come on the right side. When the Colts moved Pryor over there the last week, the team was trying to put Pryor in the position he’s played best in his career. Kelly’s been at his best in the NFL as a right tackle.

“Until we find that rhythm, find that answer, we keep working at it,” Kelly said. “Not just physically, but mentally. Where is this issue coming up? Why is this issue coming up? How do we correct it? It’s everyone working together, trying to find that right solution to the problem.”

Kelly would like to have a chance to be a part of that solution.