As they prepare for this Sunday’s Wild Card game against the Bengals, the Colts have moved offensive lineman Gosder Cherilus to the injured reserve list, ending his season, the team announced today. Guard David Arkin has been promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster to take Cherilus’ place.
Cherilus, 30, started 13 of the team’s 14 games for the Colts this season at right tackle before being slowed by groin and shoulder injuries, appearing in all but three offensive snaps in those 13 contests. Now that he’s slated to be out for any and all postseason games Indianapolis plays, Joe Reitz looks like the most likely candidate to step in and take over at right tackle.
A former first-round pick, Cherilus remains under contract with the Colts through 2017, though his cap hit jumps from $3.9MM this year to $6.9MM in 2015. We’ll have to wait and see if the club intends to keep him on board at that rate, particularly after a season in which he recorded a subpar -16.8 grade, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required).
To replace Arkin on the taxi squad, the Colts signed wide receiver Kadron Boone.