The Indianapolis Colts announced on Monday that starting right guard Will Fries has been placed on injured reserve following immediate tibia surgery in Jacksonville.
In a somewhat unexpected move, the Colts also waived third-year cornerback Dallis Flowers, who started four games for the team last season before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury. Unfortunately, Flowers has struggled to fully recover from his significant leg injury this year, facing ongoing difficulties in coverage. He was replaced at outside cornerback by offseason addition Samuel Womack III after starter JuJu Brents sustained an injury.
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With Womack’s recent performance and Flowers’ inconsistent play, the Colts deemed him expendable as they consider bolstering their cornerback depth. Several players, including Alex Johnson, Kelvin Joseph, Gregory Junior, David Long, and Jaylin Simpson, could be promoted from the practice squad.
In his four games this season, Flowers recorded nine tackles and one tackle for loss. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), he earned a +60.4 overall grade and a +65.7 coverage grade, having been targeted five times, allowing five receptions for 111 yards and one touchdown. He notably surrendered an 85-yard touchdown to Jaguars rookie wideout Brian Thomas Jr. during Sunday’s loss, resulting in a perfect passer rating of 158.3 against him throughout the four games.
Regarding the loss of Fries, he is currently ranked as the second-best offensive guard by PFF, just ahead of Colts’ four-time NFL All-Pro Quenton Nelson, with an overall grade of +86.9. As a 2021 seventh-round pick, Fries was in a contract year, making this injury particularly untimely. He will miss at least the next four games on injured reserve, with his injury potentially sidelining him for longer, judging by the severity observed during replay and his teammates’ somber reactions.
In Fries’ absence, the Colts might shift rookie fourth-round pick Tanor Bortolini to right guard, who has performed well while filling in for veteran center Ryan Kelly. Alternatively, they could continue utilizing undrafted rookie Dalton Tucker, who stepped in at starting right guard when Fries was injured and held his own during the game.
