Indianapolis Colts Rookie third-round pick Matt Goncalves is set to make his first career start. Sunday night football against him Minnesota Vikings. He’ll slide in at left tackle, As a starter, Bernhard Raimann will miss this match due to a concussion..

Gonçalves, 23, was chosen 79th overall by the foals in it 2024 NFL Draft. The Colts initially drafted him with the idea of ​​him sliding in as a guard or tackle for the team, but he apparently found a home at tackle in camp for the team. He has appeared on just one play so far this season entering tonight’s game.

General manager Chris Ballard had this to say about Gonçalves on draft night after making the selection:

No, I mean, look, you can never have enough good linemen. I think he will come in and compete. He will compete and put pressure on guys. I think guys improve when there is great competition. We have some really good players up front, but he just adds to the group.

– Chris Ballard

Gonçalves is the third Colts rookie offensive lineman to start a game this season. Center Tanor Bortolini has appeared in 160 games and made two starts, and right guard Dalton Tucker (an undrafted free agent) has been a starter since Will Fries’ devastating injury in Week 6.

Gonçalves started 24 games in his college career for the Pittsburgh Panthers, nearly splitting his starts evenly between the two tackle positions (13 starts at right tackle, 11 starts at left tackle). His last start in a regular season game came in September 2023, as he missed most of his final college season due to injury.

The rookie will be tested tonight against a ferocious Minnesota pass rush known for mixing exotic blitzes and unique simulated pressures. Fortunately for Goncalves, much of Minnesota’s defensive design is inspired by Pitt University’s Pat Narduzzi, the same coach Goncalves played under in college. Much of what the rookie will see tonight is the same thing he saw in college during practice.

Gonçalves will be tested in his first career start, but if he performs like the other Colts rookies on the line, the offense should be fine with him in the lineup. Let’s hope the rookie can stand out positively in his first action this season.

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