Colts get a last second lump of coal in their stocking just ahead of Monday Night Football matchup with the 49ers

Colts hit with some unfourtatne injury news, as key starter is downgraded to out ahead of Week 16 matchup vs. 49ers.

Destin Adams — NFL News Writer
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Colts head coach Shane Steichen
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The Indianapolis Colts are in must-win territory for each of their final three games of the season. First up is their matchup with the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. They got some positive injury news with star DT DeForest Buckner looking to make his return from the IR this week. 

It’s not all positive, though, on the injury front for Indianapolis. The team ruled CB Sauce Gardner out for another week as he continues to recover from a calf injury. And now they’ve downgraded LT Bernhard Raimann to out after initially listing him as questionable.

Colts downgrade LT Bernhard Raimann to out for Week 16

Raimann suffered an elbow injury in Week 16 that forced him out of the game early. He tried to give it a go this week by practicing in a limited fashion on Saturday. In the end, the team didn’t feel like he was ready, and he will now miss this game.

The Colts are officially down both starting tackles, with Braden Smith already on the IR. It will be interesting to see how the Colts choose to align their starting offensive line this week. Rookie Jalen Travis will start again, but will he remain at RT or will he move to LT with Raimann out? Additionally, RG Matt Gonclaves is a converted tackle, so the team could elect to kick him outside due to the numerous injuries there.

Who the team elects to elevate from its practice squad will tell us a lot about its plans for the line. If we see a guard elevated, my guess would be Goncalves is being moved out to tackle. If we see a tackle, I’d expect the starters to be Travis and Luke Tenuta with a practice squad elevation (likely Zach Thomas) as the backup. 

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