of the Indianapolis Colts Rookie third-round pick Matt Goncalves is set to make his first career start Sunday Night Football opposite Minnesota Vikings. He will shift at left tackle, Starter Bernhard Raimann will miss this match due to concussion.

23-year-old Goncalves was selected 79th overall Thai inside 2024 NFL Draft. The Colts initially drafted him with the idea of ​​sliding at defensive back or tackle for the team, but he apparently found a home at tackle in camp for the team. He has made only one appearance so far this season before tonight’s game.

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

No, I mean, you can never have enough good laundresses. I think he will come and compete. She’s going to compete and annoy the guys a little bit. I think men get better when there’s big competition. We have some really good players up front but he just joins the group.

– Chris Ballard

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

Goncalves started 24 games for the Pittsburgh Panthers in his college career, 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, when he missed most of his senior season in college due to injury.

The rookie will be tested tonight against a relentless Minnesota passing offense known for exotic blitzes and unique simulated pressures. Luckily for Goncalves, much of Minnesota’s defensive design is inspired by Pitt University’s Pat Narduzzi, the coach Goncalves played with in college. Most of what the rookie will see tonight will be the same things he saw during practice in college.

Goncalves will be tested a lot in his first career start, but if he performs like the Colts’ other rookies, he should be just fine in the lineup offensively. Hopefully the rookie can step up in a positive way in his first game this season.

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