Report: Colts Tried Out Offensive Tackle Brandon Hitner

According to NFL reporter Aaron Wilson, the Indianapolis Colts recently worked out offensive lineman Brandon Hitner:

Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles Rams in 2019, the 6’6”, 300 pound offensive lineman (with 33 7’8” arms) has also spent time on the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills practice squads.

He was signed to a reserve/future contract by the Colts in January of 2020, but he was released as part of the team’s final 53-man roster cuts during the following September.

Hitner was formerly listed as an offensive tackle via the Colts web site, and the team could be readily kicking the tires at the position still depth/upgrade-wise, having lost backup Sam Tevi to a season-ending knee injury and seen Julien Davenport’s struggles firsthand as a fill-in starter at left tackle during this past weekend’s opener.

It’s worth noting that starting right tackle Braden Smith is also being monitored for a foot injury, so his status is a major question mark entering Week 2.

Hitner doesn’t appear to be ‘head-and-shoulders’ better than any of the Colts’ internal options right now along the blindside (or right tackle), but it doesn’t hurt to continue to try to churn out workouts at the position—in the hopes of finding a potential diamond in the rough.

Until projected starting veteran Eric Fisher returns (who’s seemingly close), right now, the status quo at left tackle doesn’t appear to be nearly good enough for Indianapolis—and now with Smith’s uncertain health status on the other side, the position is perhaps an even greater issue collectively.