Eric Fisher‘s Thursday visit with the Colts ended without a deal. However, a league source tells Jim Ayello of the Indy Star (Twitter link) that the visit went well and a deal remains possible for the veteran left tackle. 
The Colts passed on adding a top-level tackle in the draft, so the eight-year Chiefs starter could be a solid candidate for them. It also helps that he has history with GM Chris Ballard who was in KC when they tapped Fisher No. 1 overall in 2013 and extended him in 2016. Now, they need a solid LT to help replace Anthony Castonzo.
The Colts do have other options, including newcomers Sam Tevi and Julie’n Davenport. However, Fisher laps both in accomplishments and experience. The 30-year-old blocker did not miss a start due to injury from 2014-18 and proved instrumental upon return from core muscle surgery in 2019; his re-emergence coincided with the Chiefs’ late-season win streak that ended with a Super Bowl LIV victory.
The Chiefs dropped Fisher, a two-time Pro Bowler after he suffered a torn Achilles’ tendon in the AFC championship game. Since then, they’ve replaced him by trading for Ravens standout Orlando Brown Jr.
Yea but the twitter comment is dated May 7th so it is not exactly breaking news .
i don’t think anybody said it was breaking news… its just saying still considering… Right…
Injury occurred at end of January. I don’t know anything about his specific timeline, but Achilles is typically a 4-6 month recovery for regular people who don’t have to push 300 lbs dudes around. Some older studies show average return to NFL was 11 months.
link to lermagazine.com
Reading on this it seems like there is a known drop off in productivity for at least the first year. If healthy, yes, he’d be a great Castanzo replacement. It’s likely more of a lottery ticket scenario than anything though.
As a Colts fan I have seen some Colts fans make comments that would consider it a mistake to not sign him …….I personally have some considerable concerns about signing him…..But that is just me.
Interesting. Willing to spend a second round draft pick on Odeyingbo, who’s recovering from a torn Achilles, but hesitant to sign Fisher who’s also recovering from the same injury. No two people recover in the same way and there are various degrees of severity of Achilles’ tears, but it’s still interesting to watch how the Colts approach these two players.
It’s more the 10 year ago difference
It’s a tough call. To give him a roster spot only to have him play in December. But I would think it’s worth it. At minimal he’ll be terrific depth.
This is a pretty good buy low opportunity for the Colts. They have enough cap space to sign him and another veteran. They have internal options they claim to believe in. Make it a 3 yr deal without much guaranteed money and they can stash him on IR for the entire season if need be and have value going forward. Chris Ballard’s careful spending gives them options.
He wouldn’t take a three year deal. He knows he might have a down 2021 but expects to be back to full health in 2022. The optimal deal for both sides is 2 years $10m with minimal guaranteed, maybe $2m. Essentially a team option for 2022 at $8m. Have some of that $8 guarantee depending on percentage of snaps played in 2021.