Colts work out experienced veteran offensive guard, among other offensive linemen

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 08: Will Hernandez #76 of the Arizona Cardinals lines up during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

According to the NFL transaction wire, the Indianapolis Colts worked out former Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants offensive guard Will Hernandez, along with offensive tackles Trey Wedig and D’Ante Smith.

Originally a 2018 2nd round pick of the Giants, the 30-year-old veteran offensive guard is likely most well known by Colts fans as being the 2nd best offensive guard prospect in the same prior draft class as perennial Indianapolis All-Pro left guard Quenton Nelson.

Of course, the 8-year veteran Hernandez has gone on to appear in 104 career games (98 starts). While he doesn’t have the same league-wide accolades as Nelson, he’s carved out a fairly lengthy starting NFL career himself.

However, he started in 7 games last year, earning a +45.3 overall grade, which ranked just 77th among 81 qualifying guards. He started just 5 games a year prior in 2024, having suffered a season-ending knee injury.

While Colts rookie 4th round pick Jalen Farmer has looked pretty good so far throughout training camp and in his preseason debut, it couldn’t hurt to add a backup offensive guard with a wealth of experience into the mix.

With Danny Pinter’s departure, Colts 3rd-year guard Dalton Tucker is now transitioning to backup center, which means Indianapolis could use another capable interior offensive lineman for depth. Hernandez had a rough season last year, but one should still look at his complete body of work—as he’s only 30-years-old and could be a ‘plug-and-play’ interior offensive lineman off the bench if called upon.

Meanwhile, Hedwig is a 6,7”, 313 pound offenive tackle who the Horseshoe Faithful may already know from his time with the Indiana Hoosiers (2024). Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Los Angeles Rams in 2025, he’s also spent time with the Arizona Cardinals organization and most recently, the UFL’s DC Defenders.

Lastly, D’Ante Smith is a 6,5”, 309 pound offensive tackle, who was initially a 2021 4th round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals, where he played from 2021-24, appearing in 3 career games (1 start).