Khaled

Holmes

Holmes started games at guard and center for USC, and he has vine-like 35-inch arms to go with his 6-foot-3, 302-pound frame. He needs to get stronger before he can handle NFL defensive linemen. He’ll be a rookie backup for Indy.

Holmes (6-foot-3, 302) was a three-year starter for the Trojans, playing guard as a sophomore and center as a junior and senior. A finesse blocker with rare 35-inch arms for an interior lineman, Holmes managed just 13 bench reps in Indy and must add strength. Once he develops, NFL teams may prefer Holmes at left guard because he struggled snapping the ball at USC. He’s a major project because right now he has zero power. The Colts have question marks all over the interior offensive line.

They also added OG Shelley Smith. Holmes opened last year as the Colts’ starting center, but was benched after Week 7 and cut prior to training camp. He’ll add competition for Ted Larsen with Hroniss Grasu out for the season. Smith hasn’t appeared in a game since 2014.

Holmes spent this year out of the league after signing with Chicago in the preseason. He made seven starts with the Colts in 2015. Holmes will compete for a depth role on the interior line.

Both players started games last season, but neither was particularly impressive. Holmes would appear to have the upper hand after closing out the season as the starter, but it is truly an open competition. The Colts only meaningful addition to their offensive line this offseason was 32-year-old Todd Herremans.

Holmes’ loss is another blow to an offensive line that’s already without Donald Thomas for the season. UDFA Jonotthan Harrison will replace Holmes at center. Holmes has over a month to get ready for Week 1, but it’s still a big concern for Indianapolis’ run blocking -- and Trent Richardson’s fantasy prospects. The Colts’ running game is going to struggle again this season.

He’s officially questionable to return, but obviously won’t. Holmes went down in pain after getting rolled up, but was able to limp off the field before heading to the locker room. The fact he could put weight on his foot is a sign the injury might not be overly serious. Holmes appeared in only three games as a rookie last season, but was gifted the Colts’ center job after Phil Costa retired.

“Holmes is going to be [out] a couple of weeks,” Pagano said. “We’re optimistic that he’ll get back in time to get back in the lineup and have at least a week or so of practice.” The Colts may have caught a break here. The injury looked much worse than a sprain when it happened, and even if Holmes is not ready Week 1, he should be good to go early in the season. Rookie Jonotthan Harrison will take over first-team duties until Holmes returns. The Colts are also considering moving Jack Mewhort to center.

The retirement of C Phil Costa made Holmes the clear-cut favorite to be the Colts’ starting center, but it would not be surprising if the team addresses the position in the draft. Indianapolis envisions itself as a power running team, and Holmes does not fit well into that mold. The Colts have some work to do to improve the interior of their offensive line.

Holmes was an undersized project who managed 13 bench-press reps last year coming out of USC. He’s considered a zone-blocking lineman, while the Colts prefer power under OC Pep Hamilton. Costa was an ascending pivot before Dallas gave him his walking papers. We’d view Costa as the favorite to start.