Colts starting center Tanor Bortolini missed practice Wednesday, October 7, 2026, and was seen sporting a brace on his right foot, ankle, and lower-leg. This isn’t just a minor sideline note; it is a big deal for the Colts’ offensive line as the regular season gets deeper.
The Man in the Middle for Daniel Jones
Bortolini is no stranger to stepping up. He was a fourth-round pick back in the 2024 draft, and he spent his rookie season filling in for veteran Ryan Kelly when he got hurt. The kid appeared in 12 games that year, making five starts, showing he could handle the pressure. After Kelly left in free agency following the 2024 season, Bortolini locked down the starting center job full-time. He’s been the guy snapping the ball to new starting quarterback Daniel Jones, so his presence is absolutely crucial for that offensive rhythm and protecting the signal-caller.
Early Season Trouble
It’s early October, which means teams are really starting to find their groove, or at least they should be. An injury to your full-time starting center, who’s still in the early stages of his career but has taken on a massive role, can absolutely derail that progress. We don’t know the specifics of the injury beyond seeing the brace, but missing practice and needing that kind of support on his foot, ankle, and lower-leg tells you everything you need to know about the severity of this thing. The Colts played the Washington Commanders in London just a few days ago, on October 4, 2026. Now, their man in the middle is sidelined.
Seeing your starting center rocking a brace and missing practice is a gut punch, especially this early in the season when every game matters. What’s next for the Colts’ offensive line and Daniel Jones’ protection? This is a situation all Colts fans will be watching closely as the team moves forward.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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