Losing your left tackle is never easy.
Especially when it’s Anthony Castonzo. The long-time Colt sprained his MCL on Sunday and left the Colts offensive line in a state of flux as the Tennessee Titans took control of the AFC South.
Frank Reich didn’t want to put a timetable on the injury in his press conference on Monday. But with Castonzo potentially out, how should Reich and Nick Sirianni put together the O-line for Sunday’s game at Houston?
Former Colts offensive lineman Joe Reitz called into The Ride with JMV on Wednesday to give his opinion on the question. He told JMV that he would rather fill the void straight up, rather than move other positions around.
“You can potentially put Braden Smith or Quenton Nelson at left tackle,” Reitz said. “But I wouldn’t do that. Smith has had a great year at right tackle. And if you move Nelson there, then you have to put someone at left guard. So instead of replacing one spot, you could potentially be doing three or four. I think your hope is you get Ryan Kelly back, and then you’re only worried about one spot with the other four being solid.”
Reitz pointed out that the Colts will have a choice between either Le’Raven Clark or Chaz Green at left tackle if Castonzo doesn’t play. Clark has started there versus the Browns and Packers this year. While Green has yet to start a game for the Blue and White.
Knowing his former teammate though, Reitz said that he won’t rule Castonzo out until the clock begins to tick on Sunday.
“AC’s as tough as they come,” Reitz added. “While he’s got an injury, he’s a guy that doesn’t need to practice. If he doesn’t practice all week, he could tell Frank that he’s good to go on Sunday and he would have that kind of rope that 10-year veterans get.”
Philip Rivers needs a solid offensive line to be successful. And in a game where J.J. Watt is coming after him, the Colts need to be ready.
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