Indianapolis Colts left guard Quenton Nelson is eligible to return from the injured reserve list this week, and the team is hopeful he will be able to play against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7.

In speaking to reporters Monday, head coach Frank Reich said the decision hasn’t been made yet whether Nelson will return to practice this week. However, he remains optimistic the All-Pro guard will make his return.

“It’s not fully been determined. I’m optimistic, but not fully been determined,” Reich told reporters.

Nelson has missed the last three games on the injured reserve list due to a high-ankle sprain he suffered against the Tennessee Titans in the Week 3 loss. Filling in for Nelson in the meantime has been veteran Chris Reed, who’s done an admirable job.

While the offensive line has had its struggles to begin the season, something we didn’t expect coming into the campaign, Nelson was playing at an elite level before his injury. He surrendered just one pressure on 104 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus.

It would be a massive upgrade to get Nelson back for the prime-time game but we may not know about his status until Saturday. That’s typically the day the Colts would activate him from the reserve list. Before that, he has to be designated for return in order to be ready for Week 7.

The Colts opened the week as 3.5-point underdogs for the road matchup against the 49ers.

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