The Indianapolis Colts will be without center Ryan Kelly against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but some good news is that they will have right tackle Braden Smith.
Smith would miss practice on Wednesday and Friday of last week, listed with knee injury. He was designated as questionable coming into this game.
Smith will face a difficult task on Sunday, lining up frequently across from Steelers edge rusher TJ Watt, who as we all know, has game-wrecking abilities. Watt spends most of his snaps lined up on the left side of the defensive front, which will match him up with Smith.
Completely stopping Watt isn’t often accomplished, so the goal may be to contain him so that he doesn’t take over the entire game. To provide Smith with some help, the Colts could utilize tight end chips and double-teams.
The Colts found success running the ball last week and will have to do the same this week, although those yards may not come easy against a Steelers defense allowing just 3.6 yards per rush.
Struggling in the run game will put the offense behind the sticks, allowing Watt and the Pittsburgh pass rush to pin its ears backs–obviously something the Colts’ offense wants to avoid.
