The Indianapolis Colts have announced that left tackle Bernhard Raimann will not play in their Week 12 matchup against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Head coach Shane Steichen confirmed on Friday that Raimann, who has been dealing with a knee injury, will be sidelined for the game at Lucas Oil Stadium. The injury occurred during the Colts’ Week 10 game against the Buffalo Bills, when Raimann was forced to exit the contest due to the knee issue. Since then, he has not participated in any practices and will not be available for Sunday’s game.
As a result of Raimann’s absence, rookie Matt Goncalves will step in as the starting left tackle for the third time this season. Goncalves, who has impressed in his previous starts, will now be tasked with protecting quarterback Anthony Richardson’s blindside against a tough Detroit Lions defense. Goncalves has shown growth and adaptability in his rookie season, and the Colts will be looking to him to help maintain the offensive line’s stability despite the loss of their starting left tackle.
Raimann’s injury is a significant setback for the Colts’ offensive line, as he has been one of the more reliable players in that unit this season. The Colts had hoped to get Raimann back sooner, but it now appears that his recovery will require more time. With the team’s offensive line already under pressure this season to perform at a high level, Raimann’s absence only adds to the challenge facing the Colts’ offense as they prepare for a key Week 12 game.
In addition to the injury concerns surrounding Raimann, the Colts have made progress on another key player’s recovery. The team opened the 21-day practice window for defensive end Tyquan Lewis on Wednesday. Lewis, who remains on injured reserve, has been working toward a return and can be activated to the 53-man roster at any time during this practice window. He participated as a full participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, which is an encouraging sign for the defensive line. The Colts will continue to monitor his progress as they assess when the best time will be to activate him, potentially adding another valuable weapon to their defensive front.
The Colts will enter their game against the Detroit Lions without one of their key starters on the offensive line but will look for Goncalves to step up in the absence of Raimann. Meanwhile, the team is also hopeful about the return of Lewis, who could play a significant role on the defensive side of the ball in the coming weeks. As the Colts prepare for Sunday’s game, they will need to make the most of the players they have available and find ways to overcome these injury setbacks.