INDIANAPOLIS – Chris Ballard's first offensive addition of the 2017 free agency came on Monday night.
Offensive line depth was a focus this offseason and the Colts addressed the interior portion of that need by signing four-year vet Brian Schwenke.
In four seasons with the Titans, Schwenke saw action in a similar fashion as the departing Jonotthan Harrison (a 2017 restricted free agent of the Colts, who was not retained).
"We are excited to add Brian to our offensive line group," Ballard said in a team release. "Brian's versatility was what made him most attractive to us and he will provide more competition at the position group."
Schwenke, like Harrison, was a center for the bulk of his time in Tennessee, but did see some action at left guard this past year.
At 6-3 and 318 pounds, Schwenke was taken in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft and started 28 games with the Titans.
Tennessee has rebuilt their offensive line and when they signed center Ben Jones last year, that made Schwenke expendable going into the final year of his rookie contract.
Schwenke will likely compete with Austin Blythe, a 2016 seventh-round pick of the Colts, to provide stability behind Ryan Kelly and the rest of the line's interior.
The Colts should still be on the look for an offensive tackle to play a reserve role.
With Joe Reitz's retirement, the Colts are in need to find some depth on the edge of their line.
Schwenke is the first offensive outside free agent signed by Ballard.
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