INDIANAPOLIS – A struggling Indianapolis Colts offensive line got more bad news Monday

Head coach Shane Steichen announced rookie center Tanor Bortolini developed symptoms following Sunday’s loss against the Detroit Lions and has been placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol.

If Bortolini can’t clear the process this week, third-stringer Danny Pinter will get the start on the road against the New England Patriots.

Pinter made three starts at center in place of Ryan Kelly in 2021 and has seven starts overall after being drafted in the fifth round out of Ball State in 2020.

“Really smart, cerebral, very tough, obviously been around here for awhile,” Steichen said of the 28-year-old. “The guys love him. So if he gets that opportunity this week, we’re definitely looking forward to that.”

Bortolini isn’t the only starter whose availability is in doubt this week.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport reported Monday wide receiver Josh Downs is still dealing with a shoulder injury suffered against the Lions and is unlikely to play at New England.

Steichen said he didn’t have enough information to comment on that report yet but expects to know more Wednesday.

The Colts scored a season-low six points against Detroit, and the offense ranks 21st in the 32-team NFL with an average of just 20.2 points per game.

Injuries have impacted Indianapolis particularly on the offensive line.

Right guard Will Fries was lost for the season after breaking his fibula in Week 5. Center Ryan Kelly remains on injured reserve with a knee injury, and left tackle Bernhard Raimann has been sidelined for the past two weeks with a knee injury.

The run game has suffered, with star rusher Jonathan Taylor failing to average 4 yards per carry in each of the past two weeks.

It’s taken away one of the team’s strengths as Indianapolis (5-7) attempts to rally for a playoff push.

But Steichen said injuries are a fact of life for every team in the league.

“There’s no excuses for anything,” he said. “It’s all reality in this profession. You got to go win football games. Everyone’s got to do their job at a high level to go be successful. And it starts during the week.

“I always talk about preparation. I really do, and if you allow it to happen on the practice field, don’t get mad when it happens in the games. So that’s why I talk about accountability being at an all-time high, and that’s where it’s at.”

HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT

For the third straight home game, Colts fans were competing with a sizable number of visiting supporters to be heard inside Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Lions’ faithful chanted starting quarterback Jared Goff’s name repeatedly and often made substantial noise while the Indianapolis offense was on the field.

It’s not a scene the Colts care to continue repeating, but wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. said players have to own up to their responsibility in the hostile takeovers.

“I mean, it’s not something that I really noticed (Sunday),” Pittman said. “I mean, I did hear a little bit more crowd noise on offense, but, I mean, we have to give the city something to come out for. We have to do our part, and if we’re winning games, they’ll show up.”

BEEF SQUASHED?

Linebacker Zaire Franklin engaged in a back and forth with former Colts punter Pat McAfee last week over the current state of the franchise.

Franklin took issue with critical comments McAfee made about starting quarterback Anthony Richardson on his popular ESPN talk show, and McAfee responded by questioning Indianapolis’ locker room culture and Franklin’s role as a leader.

Franklin said Monday ultimately both men are working toward the same goal.

“To be honest with you, I’ve got a lot of respect for Pat,” Franklin said. “I understand exactly what he is to the organization, to our city and quite frankly, I think maybe I didn’t handle it the right way going in. Now, he said some things about me. So that is what it is. But it’s one band, one sound, man. We’re all family. We all want the same thing. I think, at the end of the day, Pat wants what’s best for us. He wants us to win.

“He wants something to cheer about. He wants something to go on the show and scream about in a good way. And that’s what I want for him. And, at the end of the day, being in the locker room, me being the boots on the ground, I want to give our fans, I want to give our alumni something to be proud of and something to continue to cheer for. So there is no back and forth. There is no feud because, at the end of the day, we want the same things.”