The former seventh-round pick took over as the Colts’ starting right guard midway through his second season. He held the job into year three and was putting his best work on film over the first five weeks of his fourth and ultimately final season with the Colts. His season was then ended prematurely by a broken tibia that required surgery. Fries was on pace for a top-five overall grade at guard by Pro Football Focus before going down with the injury. The massive contract indicates his recovery won’t be an issue in 2025.

He’ll miss at least the next four weeks, though after being carted off with the gruesome injury it’s likely that he’ll miss the rest of the season. Fries is in the final year of his rookie deal and will likely be a reclamation project on a one-year deal next year, whether for the Colts or somebody else.

Fries got twisted up in ugly fashion early in the third quarter. He had been off to a strong start this season, especially as a run-blocker. Undrafted rookie Dalton Tucker has entered the game in Fries’ absence. It’s a big downgrade.