Seth

Olsen

The exact nature of Olsen’s hand injury is unclear. He was a roster luxury with the Colts’ starters returning to full health up front.

It’s bad when you can’t stick on arguably the worst offensive line in the league. Olsen was replaced by Jamey Richard, a free agent that the Colts signed four days before the game.

Reitz didn’t even travel with the team. Seth Olsen will step in and man the position in Reitz’s absence, while Jeff Linkenbach backs up. Andrew Luck’s protection is going to be shaky all season long.

Olsen was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return on October 8. That means the earliest he can return to game action is Week 14. The journeyman started the first three games of the year and then went down in Week 5 against the Packers.

With LG Joe Reitz (knee) still sidelined, the Colts are expected to go with the same five offensive linemen that were dominated by the Bears last week. If fill-in Seth Olsen struggles again, newly signed veteran Trai Essex could make an appearance.

The Colts could get Olsen back late in the season if his knee heals up. They also waived TE Dominique Jones and now have two open roster spots. Olsen struggled as both a pass and run blocker in the first four games before suffering the knee injury in Week 5 against the Packers.

Olsen started the first three games of the season, struggling in pass protection. Jeff Linkenbach and Joe Reitz haven’t fared any better as his replacements. Olsen should regain his starting job down the stretch. LB Justin Hickman (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve in a corresponding move.

Olsen is a power lineman out of Iowa, and the Colts’ interest him further suggests the team is transitioning to more of a running offense. It won’t work. Richard was washed out in the running game in all of his four starts last season.

A fourth-round pick of the Broncos in 2009, Olsen didn’t appear in a game last season after being active just three times as a rookie. His odds of getting on the field this year are low.

With LG Joe Reitz (knee) and RG Mike Pollak (hamstring) sidelined, the Colts’ line is in the worst shape imaginable. LT Anthony Castonzo (ankle) remains out and so is RT Ryan Diem. The only starting-caliber lineman left healthy is C Jeff Saturday. LT Jeff Linkenbach could start on a bad team, but is playing out of position. He’s a nightmare of a left tackle.