Indianapolis Colts Rookie ready to make first career start against Minnesota Vikings

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

Goncalves, 23, was selected 79th overall Foals in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Colts initially drafted him with the idea that he would slide in as a guard or tackle for the team, but he seemingly found a home at tackle in camp for the team. He has only made one appearance this season prior to tonight’s game.

General Manager Chris Ballard said the following about Goncalves on draft night after making the roster:

No, I mean, look, you can never have enough good linemen. I think he’ll come in and join in. He’ll join in and stir the boys up a bit. I think guys get better when there’s a lot of competition. We have some really good players up front, but he just adds to the group.

– Chris Ballard

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

Goncalves started 24 games in his collegiate career for the Pittsburgh Panthers, splitting his starts almost 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 senior season in college due to injury.

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

Goncalves will be tested quite a bit in his first career start, but if he performs anything like the Colts’ other rookies on the line, the offense should be just fine with him in the lineup. Hopefully the rookie can stand out in a positive way in his first appearance this season.

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