Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard provided an update on offensive tackle Braden Smith while speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine, though he didn’t disclose why Smith missed the final five games of the 2024 season.
Ballard emphasized that Smith was eager to return to the field. “What I will tell you is: He’s doing really well,” Ballard said. “And he wants to play football. We’ll work through the rest of it.”
Smith played nearly every snap at right tackle for the Colts in the first 12 games of the season, missing only one of the team’s 732 offensive snaps. However, after a 24-6 loss to the Detroit Lions on Nov. 24, he did not play again.
The following week, Smith was absent from practice, and the Colts listed his status as “not injury related – personal matter.” After the team’s 25-24 win over the New England Patriots on Dec. 1, Indianapolis placed him on the reserve/non-football illness list without further explanation, where he remained for the rest of the season.
“Personal issues he’s dealing with,” Ballard said last week. “We’re supporting Braden. Think the world of him. Been a great player for us. We’ll see going forward.”
Smith has one year left on the four-year, $70 million contract extension he signed with the Colts. Rookie third-round pick Matt Goncalves stepped in at right tackle for the final five games of the season. If Indianapolis were to release Smith, it would free up $16.75 million in salary-cap space for 2025.
A second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Smith transitioned from guard to right tackle as a rookie and has held the position whenever healthy. He is just eight starts away from becoming the ninth Auburn alumnus to reach 100 regular-season starts as an NFL offensive lineman.
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