Indianapolis right tackle Braden Smith is working to put a tough 10 months behind him as the Colts prepare for the 2024 NFL season.

The former Auburn All-American missed seven games and did not finish two others because of hip and wrist injuries during the 2023 season, then had offseason knee surgery that limited his participation in Indianapolis’ spring program.

But on the fourth day of training camp for his seventh NFL season, Smith rejoined the full-team workouts, and he accompanied the Colts’ first-team offense onto the field for its brief appearance in the preseason opener on Sunday.

“Every day is a blessing, just to be able to be with the team again,” Smith said. “When you’re standing on the sidelines, it’s not so fun. I mean, you just want to be part of that group and that camaraderie, just helping your team do all that they can. But it’s just a blessing to be able to be back out there, and I’m very grateful.”

Smith said he feels as though he’s progressing toward regaining full health with Indianapolis set to kick off its regular season on Sept. 8 with an AFC South contest against the Houston Texans.

“It always takes a little bit of time,” Smith said, “but each day just getting a little bit better, getting a little bit smoother, getting kind of the feel for things again. That’s all you can really ask for, and I’m just happy to be out there. …

“Obviously, like, just getting back into it, there’s going to be a little bit of soreness, but, I mean, fully functional. I have good strength in there. It’s just getting used to playing football again.”

In the Colts’ 34-30 preseason loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Smith took the field with left tackle Bernhard Raimann, left guard Quenton Nelson, center Ryan Kelly and right guard Will Fries to safeguard starting quarterback Anthony Richardson for seven snaps.

That has been Indianapolis’ No. 1 offensive line since Raimann and Fries joined the lineup during the 2022 season.

Nelson is a six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, and Kelly, a former Alabama All-American, is a four-time Pro Bowler. But Nelson said Smith was the Colts’ best offensive lineman when he could play during the 2023 season.

“Braden’s a warrior,” Nelson said. “I think he had a really good offseason of getting healthy and getting strong. And when he was out there, I mean he was like our best offensive lineman, like run and pass when he was out there, so just he’s done a great job.

“And he works his tail off to be at his best for the team and for the guys. His care factor is super high for this team, and he shows that through his play, so it’s great to have him back out here working back in and getting back into the groove.”

Smith did not yield a sack during 2023 even though he said he couldn’t play the way he wanted.

“It’s like when you’re playing a little bit injured,” Smith said, “like even when you’re trying not to think about it, there’s still subconsciously, like, you’re not putting your weight fully — you’re not just playing completely free the way you’d want to. So just having a little bit more peace in the mind when you’re playing, not something in the back of your mind, gives you a lot more freedom just to go out there and play at the best of your ability.”

Smith has tried to be even-keeled throughout his injury

“I think you need that in life really,” Smith said. “Just in general, you know. Just each day is a new day. God’s mercies are new every day. Just taking one day at a time. If you look too much at what happened in the past or your successes, your failures, you’re not going to grow. You just got to make sure you take something from the next day, and you always learn from it.”

The Colts continue their preseason schedule at 6 p.m. CDT Saturday, when the Arizona Cardinals come to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.