Former Pitt offensive lineman Matt Goncalves hasn’t taken any snaps at left tackle at the NFL level, but it’s looking like that will change this weekend.
According to a report by Kevin Bowen of Wake Up Call with KB and Andy, Goncalves is expected to make his first career start for the Indianapolis Colts Sunday afternoon against the Minnesota Vikings. He’s expected to start at left tackle, where he played in his final season at Pitt.
Colts starting left tackle Bernhard Raimann was listed on the injury report with a concussion, and Goncalves is the likely replacement.
Goncalves has played in just one game this season, taking three snaps against the Miami Dolphins last week.
The Colts selected Goncalves in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, adding a big (6-foot-6, 327 pounds) offensive lineman with experience at left and right tackle, who bided his time in Pittsburgh to emerge as a team captain and starting left tackle in the 2023 season.
His senior season was cut short due to a lingering toe injury, which required surgery, but he started — and excelled — in all three games he played. It was expected that Goncalves would break out last season following a strong campaign in 2022.
Goncalves earned third-team All-ACC honors in 2022, racking up 830 snaps last season, which only trailed fellow lineman Jake Kradel offensively and flashed the ability to play on either side of the line. He made 11 starts at left tackle and 13 starts at right tackle, finishing his career with 35 appearances.
Goncalves has expressed his excitement about being a Colt since the day he was drafted in April.
“What’s up, Indianapolis? Matt Goncalves here,” he said in a welcome post on X (formerly known as X). “Fired up to join Colts Nation, join the offensive line, let’s get it. Never been more fired up in my life, let’s go.”
