Colts Will be Without Both Starting Tackles for Steelers Game Sunday

The Indianapolis Colts will be without both starting offensive tackles when they visit the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

Left tackle Anthony Castonzo has been downgraded to out with knee and ankle injuries, while right tackle Braden Smith was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday.

Castonzo (knee/ankle) had sat out of practice on Wednesday and Friday, and was initially deemed questionable to play, but his outlook has apparently changed for the worse.

T Anthony Castonzo (knee/ankle) has been downgraded to OUT for #INDvsPIT. https://t.co/VBVrHjIyyX

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 26, 2020

Castonzo is still recovering from a sprained right MCL suffered Week 12 against the Tennessee Titans. He missed the following game, but was able to return and play the last two weeks. The ankle ailment is a new injury that sprung up this week in practice.

For Smith, it will be just the second game he has missed of his entire career.

The absences of Castonzo and Smith are significant losses for an Indianapolis offensive line that has allowed the second-fewest sacks in football.

This week’s tilt with Pittsburgh comes at the worst possible time for the patchwork offensive line, as the Steelers lead the NFL with 47 sacks this season.