Just In: Colts worked out two veterans on Friday

admin | December 9, 2023 | Other Clubs | No Comments

The Indianapolis Colts brought in veteran offensive tackle Jared Veldheer and offensive lineman Isaac Alarcon for workouts on Friday, according to ESPN’s Field Yates:

The Colts worked out OL Isaac Alarcon and veteran OL Jared Veldheer.

The 36-year old Veldheer last played during the 2020 season when he almost became the first player to start for two separate teams in the same postseason (Colts and then Packers).

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 8, 2023

Of course, this may not speak well for the future availability of starting right tackle Braden Smith, who has already been ruled out for Sunday due to a knee ailment.

Veldheer, now 36, is already well-known to Colts fans after filling in for veteran blindside bookend Anthony Castonzo in the season finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars (*as well as the playoff wild card loss to the Buffalo Bills) in 2020.

Veldheer has made 114 career starts, thus he is unquestionably skilled. However, he hasn’t played professionally since 2020, so expectations should be kept in check if he re-signs with Indianapolis a few years later as experienced depth.

Meanwhile, Alarcon was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys in 2020. He was also a past CFL Draft third-round pick in 2021. The Cowboys waived the 6’6″ 315-pound offensive tackle as part of their final 53-man roster cuts this season.

Rookie Blake Freeland will undoubtedly start again in Smith’s absence, as he has already made six starts at both offensive tackle positions this season. Freeland hasn’t been a remarkable rookie, but he’s remained in there, competed, and gained valuable playing time.

The issue is that the Colts have virtually no offensive tackles behind him. There are no other offensive tackles on the Colts’ roster save Bernhard Raimann, Smith, and Freeland, or even on the practice squad.