INDIANAPOLIS -- Lost in the dropped passes, poor running game, ill-advised play calling, penalties, poor tackling and lack of a pass rush was Khaled Holmes starting at center for the Indianapolis Colts against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

Yes, Khaled Holmes, the player the Colts constantly praised during the offseason only to end up losing his starting job and finding a place on the inactive list for the for the first part of the season because of an ankle injury suffered in the preseason, started at center.

That’s where things stand these days with the position responsible for snapping the ball to Andrew Luck, the Colts’ franchise player.

“I was excited about the opportunity,” Holmes said.

Holmes replaced Jonotthan Harrison, who replaced A.Q. Shipley, who beat out Harrison and Holmes to start Week 1 despite only a week of practice.

Are you still following along?

Shipley started at center the first four weeks before losing the job for no explainable reason in Week 5. Harrison started the next 10 games. But it was Holmes who leaped over Shipley for the starting job Sunday.

“Jon missed a little bit of time on [last] Wednesday,” Colts coach Chuck Pagano said. “He was sick, and he’s been battling through some nagging injuries. He’s got a finger that’s been reoccurring with him, so he missed some time this week, and Khaled got the lion’s share of the reps on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and so we just made the decision after a week of practicing well to go with him today and give Jon a break.”

Harrison’s illness and nagging injuries were news to many Sunday because he was never listed on the Colts’ injury report last week. And I was told Harrison really struggled in practice. He’s had issues with clean snaps at different points in the season.

Holmes has patiently waited for his opportunity to be able to start again after what was a promising offseason.

“It’s disappointing, but injures are part of the game,” he said. “You have to be professional and not let it get to your psyche.”