The Indianapolis Colts ruled out right tackle Braden Smith and cornerback Julius Brents ahead of the Week 9 matchup against the Carolina Panthers, according to head coach Shane Steichen on Friday.
It’s no surprise that both of those players were ruled out considering they didn’t log a single practice. This will be Brents’ second consecutive missed game due to a quad injury he suffered in Week 7.
Meanwhile, Smith will miss his fourth consecutive game due to hip and wrist injuries.
As it pertains to linebacker Zaire Franklin, who is dealing with a knee injury, he is considered a game-time decision.
Smith’s expected replacement, rookie Blake Freeland, is also a game-time decision after suffering a back injury during practice this week. It isn’t clear who would start right tackle if both Smith and Freeland are out, but there’s a chance it would be Arlington Hambright.
Tight end Kylen Granson cleared the concussion protocol so he will be expected to play.
The Colts will release their final injury report with designations later Friday so that will give us a better idea of what the injury situation looks like.
