Braden

Smith

The good news is that, according to Schefter, the injury isn’t considered a long-term issue. It’s still unclear if Smith will be ready for Week 1. Houston signed Smith to a two-year, $25 million deal in the offseason. He was set to compete with Trent Brown for the starting right tackle job, but this could give Brown the inside track early in the year. As long as Smith is back early in the year, Houston should have the necessary tackle depth to survive this injury.

Smith reportedly suffered a serious lower body injury during a joint practice with the Panthers. His loss would be significant for the Texans after Smith this offseason signed a two-year deal worth $20 million with Houston. The Texans last season had one of the NFL’s worst offensive lines, ranking 30th in pass blocking win rate and 32nd in run blocking win rate.

Smith, who received a two-year, $25 million contract from the Texans this offseason, was limited during the spring as he dealt with the aftermath of the surgery. It’s not exactly a promising sign for his availability that NBC’s Aaron Wilson went with the term “tracking towards” here. Trent Brown figures to see some time with the ones early in training camp.

Smith would seem to push Trent Brown into a swing tackle role next year while giving the Texans a three-deep at tackle of Smith, Aireontae Ersery, and Brown. Smith, who turns 30 later in March, is coming off the two worst seasons of his career in Indianapolis but still managed a respectable 65.3 PFF blocking grade in 2025. It’s not an exciting move, but could lead to competency on the much-beleaguered Texans offensive line.

The Colts will be without their starting right tackle for Sunday’s road game against a stout Seahawks defense. Backup Jalen Travis is expected to draw the start in his place and will be tasked with keeping one of either Riley Leonard or Philip Rivers upright. In addition to Smith, the Colts also ruled out WR Anthony Gould (ankle) and CB Sauce Gardner (calf).

The last thing the Colts need with Riley Leonard under center against the Seahawks is a new lineman at right tackle. So, naturally, that appears to be on the table this week. Rookie fourth-rounder Jalen Travis took over for Smith and would figure to be Smith’s replacement in Week 15 if he can’t clear concussion protocol.

“I was physically present, but I was nowhere to be found,” Smith told the Indianapolis Star. “I did not care about playing football. I didn’t care about hanging out with my family, with my wife, with my newborn son.” Religious scrupulosity is a form of OCD. Smith checked into a mental health facility in Colorado and also used the drug Ibogaine in Mexico, which seems to have finally shifted him to a better state of mind. Smith took a paycut to stay with the Colts this offseason after missing the final five games of the season and figures to be their starting right tackle this year.

Smith was a likely cap casualty heading into the offseason, so this was the only way he was going to stay in Indy. Before the team reworked his deal, they could have saved $16.8 million in cap space by cutting him. Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Smith is still scheduled to become a free agent after the 2025 season. Smith has been with the Colts since they drafted him in the second round of the 2018 draft. He will likely depart in free agency, meaning 2025 should be his last season in Indy.

Smith missed several games last season with an undisclosed personal matter. Releasing the soon-to-be 29-year-old would save the Colts $16.75 million against the salary cap. Matt Goncalves played 566 snaps last year and may be inheriting the right tackle role in Indianapolis. Smith would make an interesting veteran addition to a tackle-needy team if his personal matters are resolved.

Smith will miss another game for personal reasons. Rookie swing tackle Matt Goncalves has made starts at both left and right tackle this year. He will take Smith’s place in the lineup versus Denver.