INDIANAPOLIS — There was a moment Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium when Braden Smith was reminded of the life-struggle he’s dealing with.
In his world, two wolves demanded to be fed.
“I choose not to feed my OCD,’’ Smith said.
Instead, he immediately relied on the tools gathered during a months-long journey to come to grips with his OCD/religious scrupulosity that threatened not only his mental well-being and family, but his life.
Despite intensive therapy sessions, including 48 days at a facility in Colorado, and trip to Mexico for treatment involving psychedelic drugs that essentially rebooted his brain, Smith realizes OCD “is still part of my life.’’
As Sunday’s game with the Tennessee Titans neared, “some stuff crept it,’’ he said.
Smith declined to elaborate, but he was equipped to deal with the mental threat.
“I was like, ‘I know what this is,’’’ he said Wednesday. “And I use the tools that I’ve gained. Usually if I go into a game (like that), I’ve been bad. But it didn’t bother me at all.
“I was able to set it aside. These things will happen. I’m not completely void of OCD now. It’s still part of my life. It’s like how I manage it, how I deal with it.’’
The Colts pushed their record to an NFL-best 7-1, and their offense continued to operate at a high level in the 38-14 dismantling of the Titans. Quarterback Daniel Jones passed for 272 yards and three touchdowns, running back Jonathan Taylor rushed for 153 yards and two TDs and added another score in the pass game, and the offense generated 420 total yards.
It all started up front with an offensive line that’s the NFL’s best, according to Pro Football Focus. Jones was sacked three times, although one was on him for not throwing the football away as he ran out of bounds on a scramble. The pass game averaged 9.4 yards per attempt and Taylor averaged a career-best 12.8 yards per carry.
As the Colts prepare for Sunday’s road test against the Pittsburgh Steelers, they rank No. 2 in the league in fewest sacks allowed (9, one fewer than Denver) and No. 1 in points per game (33.8), yards per game (385.3) and points per drive (3.46, the league’s highest since 2000).
It’s impossible to funnel too much credit to left tackle Bernhard Raimann, left guard Quenton Nelson, center Tanor Bortolini, right guard Matt Goncalves and Smith. Against the Titans, Smith was on the field for 47 plays before the blowout allowed position coach Tony Sparano Jr. to filter in a few backups.
On the season, he’s started all eight games and missed only 29 of 500 offensive snaps, all because of the lopsided nature of several games. Smith has yet to allow a sack.
During training camp, the 2018 second-round draft pick admitted he was in “a spectacular place . . . every day is awesome.’’
His internal struggle with OCD/religious scrupulosity reached the point last December that Smith reached out to Courtney, his wife, desperate for help. He would miss the final five games while embarking on a battle for his life.
The past eight games have represented further validation Smith has regained his status as one of the NFL’s best right tackles.
“I felt very eager to prove something to myself,’’ he said. “Every day for me is a victory because of everything that happened last year and just being able to enjoy life.
“There’s this power that’s harnessed when you’re able to identify the problem.’’
Those around him have noticed a difference.
“Just the mental toughness that he’s got,’’ coach Shane Steichen said. “Obviously, he went through some things — as we all know — last year, but to be able to bounce back from that, the support that his teammates gave him.
“He’s in a really good spot right now and he’s playing at a high level.’’
Cornerback Kenny Moore II has shared the locker room with Smith the past eight years. They’ve grown close and leaned on each other whenever it’s been needed, which was the case when Smith was away from the team and dealing with his personal issues.
“I respect Braden Smith wholeheartedly just for taking the timeout for himself to really maximize his well-being, not only for himself but for his family,’’ Moore said. “I know he has a newborn baby. He and his wife are covered by a great family.
“I know the only thing they want for him is to feel his best.’’
That’s the reason being a key cog in an elite offensive line is secondary in Smith’s life. He’s able to be there — physically and mentally — for Courtney and young son Wyatt.
“I’m honestly grateful for last year because without it, I wouldn’t have such a self-awareness of how I think, how I go about things,’’ Smith said. “I learned a lot about myself for it. I’m better for it. I’m a better husband, better father, better teammate and continuing to grow as a person.
“My journey’s not over, yet. I still have a lot to grow and learn from and I look forward to that.’’
He looks forward to always feeding the appropriate wolf.
OCD, Smith insisted, “doesn’t have to be the overwhelming factor in my life.
“They talk about two wolves: Which one do you feed? I choose not to feed my OCD. There’s definitely ways I can end up doing it, but instead I’m going to feed the things that are positive in my life and give me joy and things that are in the present moment versus things that aren’t real.’’
About the future
Smith will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. He’s 29, which is relatively young for an offensive lineman, and will be heading into his ninth season.
Considering the difficulty in finding quality tackles, general manager Chris Ballard and his staff must debate in the offseason whether to re-sign a right tackle who will have started more than 100 games, most at a high level. The Colts selected tackle Jalen Travis in the fourth round of April’s draft.
“I feel like that always kind of lingers a little bit,’’ Smith said, “but I also try to keep myself in the present moment. I know if I start tripping to things that don’t exist, then I miss everything that’s right here.
“I’m just taking it day-by-day. I’m just having fun playing right now.’’
In March, the Colts addressed the final year of Smith’s contract, lowering his base from $14.75 million to $3.96 million.
The NFL’s top 16 right tackles earn a minimum of $11.5 million per season.
Goncalves grieving
The status of Goncalves for Sunday’s game is uncertain. He posted on social media his father, William, passed away.
“We just learned about it this morning,’’ Smith said of Goncalves. “We’re just going to be here for him however he needs and just let him know he’s loved.’’
Added Steichen: “Anytime you lose someone you love, especially a father, it’s tough on any human being. We’re here for him to support him. Just thoughts and prayers for him during this time.’’
If Goncalves isn’t available Sunday, Dalton Tucker likely would step in at right guard.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.