The Colts will be without starting right tackle Jalen Travis for at least two weeks due to a knee injury suffered on Sunday against the Cowboys. The second-year offensive lineman could miss up to a month, according to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz.
Travis, 24, was a fourth-round pick last year who started four games in place of longtime Colts right tackle Braden Smith. Smith signed with the division-rival Texans this offseason, giving Travis a shot at the starting job. He has largely struggled, allowing seven sacks and 30 pressures in his first nine games, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Those are bottom-three numbers among starting tackles, as is his 94.1 pass blocking efficiency. In the run game, though, he ranks closer to the middle of the pack with a 66.0 run blocking grade.
Travis’ injury seems minor enough to avoid landing on injured reserve. During his absence, the Colts will likely turn to Luke Tenuta, who finished Sunday’s game at right tackle. Originally a Bills sixth-round pick in 2022, Tenuta spent part of his rookie year in Indianapolis but only saw regular-season action with the Packers. He stayed in Green Bay until final roster cuts in 2024 and eventually landed on the Cardinals’ practice squad.
Tenuta, 27, returned to Indianapolis in 2025 and spent the season as a backup with 72 snaps. He saw time at both tackle spots and 15 snaps as a sixth offensive lineman. Now, he is in line for the first start of his NFL career, though the Colts could also consider Charlie Heck. The 29-year-old has 29 career starts, including six at right tackle in Tampa Bay last year. He has almost 1,800 regular-season snaps at the position in his career and could be shifted from his backup left tackle job to start on the opposite side moving forward.
Losing a starting offensive lineman is never ideal, but Travis’ injury is not a major blow to the Colts. Their recent fire sale signaled their comfort with weathering a rough remainder of the season. However, his absence means he will miss out on crucial snaps that could help him develop into a long-term starter – or signal that the front office needs to find another answer this offseason.