The Indianapolis Colts‘ brutal summer of injuries continued during Saturday’s preseason game against the Packers. According to head coach Shane Steichen in his post-game press conference, backup offensive tackle Blake Freeland fractured his leg in the action, likely ending his season.
Freeland entered the game earlier than expected after starting right tackle Braden Smith suffered a groin injury and was forced to leave the game. Freeland finished out the second drive of the game before going down on the third play of the Colts’ third offensive drive. On a third and short, the Colts ran RB DJ Giddens right behind Freeland and right guard Matt Goncalves. Freeland fell awkwardly in the pile and could be seen grabbing his leg immediately. The cart quickly came out and his leg was placed in an air cast as teammates gathered around to encourage him.
The Colts’ Injury Woes Continue to Pile Up
Michael Hickey/GettyINDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – AUGUST 16: Blake Freeland #73 of the Indianapolis Colts leaves the game after an injury during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 16, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
The Colts were already missing a number of starters and important bench players heading into Saturday’s game. LT Bernhard Raimann, ED Kwity Paye, WR Josh Downs, CB Kenny Moore II, LB Zaire Franklin, WR Alec Pierce, CB Justin Walley, S Nick Cross, CB JuJu Brents, ED Samson Ebukam, CB Jaylon Jones, and LB Jaylon Carlies all sat out due to injury. That is a large collection of some one Indy’s most important players, and the list only grew longer during the game.
After Saturday’s action concluded, Freeland, Smith, S Hunter Wohler, RB Tyler Goodson, CB Johnathan Edwards, and LB Jacob Phillips were all added to the injury report. With just three weeks until the regular season opener against the Dolphins, the Colts need to focus on getting their guys back healthy. This coaching staff and front office have a lot riding on the success of this season, and they can’t afford to be missing half their depth chart once real games begin.
Indianapolis’s Shaky Offensive Line Loses Key Depth
The main takeaways by those in attendance for the Colts’ joint practice with the Packers on Thursday was how badly they were outmatched in the trenches. Specifically, their offensive line was getting dominated by the Packers’ defensive front. The Athletic’s James Boyd and ESPN’s Stephen Holder both highlighted this, with Boyd noting it didn’t matter whether it was the first- or -second-team offensive lines — both were being destroyed up front.
LT Bernhard Raimann (who just received a massive extension), LG Quentin Nelson, and RT Braden Smith are all established studs who can be relied upon. The question marks for the Colts are at center and right guard. Last year’s starters, C Ryan Kelly and RG Will Fries, both signed with Minnesota this offseason. 2024 draft picks Tanor Bortolini and Goncalves have stepped into those vacancies, with mixed results so far.
On Saturday, Goncalves missed a stunt that resulted in a sack, ending a potential two-minute drill before it could begin. Bortolini played well last year when Kelly missed time with an injury, but his camp has been more up-and-down. Freeland was battling with rookie Jalen Travis for the swing tackle job, a role that has now been gifted to Travis. He’ll have to step up when called upon, as Freeland’s absence now puts even more pressure on the rookie to be ready right away.
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