The biggest problem is along the offensive line, where the
Colts already have lost left guard Donald Thomas for the season because of a torn right quad.
His injury put the Colts in the precarious position of going with what could be one of the youngest interior lines in the league — a rookie and two second-year players, including Holmes.
They tried to create a backup plan during the offseason by signing former Cowboys center Phil Costa in free agency. But Costa surprised Indy when he retired in April.
Thomas' injury opened the door for second-round draft pick Jack Mewhort and former Bears starter
Lance Louis, who was out of the league last season, to battle for the starting job. Second-year guard
Hugh Thornton has moved from the left side to the right this year, and it doesn't appear the Colts are planning to move him again.
And with backup
Xavier Nixon posting on Twitter that he's about to undergo surgery for his injured leg, the Colts brought back undrafted rookie guard
Marcus Hall, who was cut in June.
Khaled Holmes' ankle injury may create the biggest obstacle. His backup is Jonotthan Harrison, an undrafted rookie from Florida, who was part of a botched snap after entering Thursday's game. The third-down miscue forced the Colts to settle for a field goal.
The Colts insist they're confident center Khaled Holmes, who played just 12 offensive snaps last season as a rookie, can excel.