INDIANAPOLIS – It’s time to talk about the offensive line.

Injuries have taken a major toll on one of the Indianapolis Colts’ strongest units – particularly at right guard, where Will Fries was having a breakout season before a broken fibula ended his campaign in Week 5.

Two more starters – center Ryan Kelly (injured reserve) and left tackle Bernhard Raimann (knee) – missed Sunday’s 24-6 loss against the Detroit Lions, forcing the Colts to start three rookies up front for the third time in four weeks.

The results have not been pretty.

Running back Jonathan Taylor failed to average even 4 yards per carry for the second straight week, and quarterback Anthony Richardson was under near constant fire in the pocket.

Richardson was hit six times but remarkably avoided a sack, though several forced throwaways contributed to a 39.3% completion rate (11-of-28).

Despite the struggles, Colts head coach Shane Steichen was hesitant to concede the war of attrition might be catching up to the offensive line.

“I wouldn’t say that,” Steichen said. “I mean, those guys are battling like crazy every week. We’ve got to do a great job of putting them in position to be successful.”

Right guard Dalton Tucker, center Tanor Bortolini and left tackle Matt Gocalves are easy targets for criticism as the replacement starters, but holdovers Quenton Nelson and Braden Smith were far from guilt-free against the Lions (10-1).

Left guard Nelson committed three penalties that helped to stall drives, and right tackle Smith was flagged for holding to negate a 20-yard completion to wide receiver Josh Downs on fourth-and-8 in the fourth quarter.

The latter penalty helped take away Indianapolis’ last realistic chance to get back in the contest.

“I need to be better with (situational football) and with the penalties, and then (there are) a couple reps I want back today,” Nelson said. “So (it’s about) just making sure it doesn’t happen in practice and being locked in and focused on the job at hand and stuff.”

Nelson pushed back against the notion the rookies are a major factor in the offensive line’s drop-off.

The Colts (5-7) have failed to rush for 100 yards in three of the last four weeks, and there’s been too much pressure in the passing game.

But Nelson said the rookies should not be used as an easy excuse.

“I think all three of them are fighting their tails off and doing a good job,” he said. “And I appreciate them and what they do and how they prepare, and it’s been fun playing with them.”

Change could be coming to the lineup soon.

Steichen said Raimann remains week-to-week and is progressing in his recovery, and Kelly will be eligible to return to the active roster following next week’s road game against the New England Patriots.

Indianapolis also signed right guard Mark Glowinski to the practice squad last week.

The 32-year-old hasn’t played since making six starts for the New York Giants last season, but the best years of his career came with the Colts. He made 55 starts for Indianapolis from 2018-21 and was a starter for each of the franchise’s last two playoff teams.

Steichen did not commit to any roster shuffle in the immediate aftermath of Sunday’s loss.

“We’ll look at the offensive line,” he said. “We’ll look at everything. But, again, I’ve got a lot of faith in those guys. Man, they’re going to keep battling like crazy. We’ll be fine.”

PENALTY PARADE

The Colts were whistled for a season-high 10 penalties totaling 75 yards. The infractions negated 97 yards of total offense, including 74 passing yards for Richardson.

Steichen declined to comment on the calls before he gets a look at the game tape.

“It’s hard to see (from the sideline),” he said. “It happens – bang, bang play. There’s no replay. I mean, you guys probably got it on the TV copy better than I did. So I don’t know.”

INJURY REPORT

Wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs were briefly checked for shoulder injuries, but both players returned to the game.

Wide receiver Ashton Dulin (foot) was the only player who left the game with an injury designation and did not return.