Hey there Colts’ fans! Here are my thoughts on the Colt’s last few weeks as they prepare to break camp and begin preparing for the regular season opener against the Texans:

PRESEASON GAME 2: The Colts were one a few teams that essentially rested nearly everyone that is expected to make the final roster in the second preseason game, giving fringe players essential extended reps to show that they deserve a roster spot. The two teams had shared a few joint practices during the week, so the Cardinals were also generally playing fringe guys as well; therefore, not a lot can be made of successes on the field. The one guy that shined was backup QB Jason Bean who completed a high percentage of his passes (although one went to a Cardinal defender) and ran for a score. Not a lot to take home from this game

PRESEASON GAME 3: The Colts gave the starters and key backups some extended play time after the off week from game play, although we yet have seen the real offense unveiled. They ran a vanilla scheme and kept QB Anthony Richardson and RB Jonathan Taylor out of harm’s way, so the diversity and explosiveness of the offense’s potential were muted. Richardson looked amazing on the opening drive, taking the team 80 yards for a TD to rookie WR Adonai Mitchell, and throwing 7-8 for 67 yards. But without the defense respecting the run, he struggled the rest of the half and threw a pick-6 in the next series (he also lost a fumble on his third series, but OL Quentin Nelson bailed him out with a recovery). He really was inaccurate the rest of the game -- mostly throwing high, which was a feature we saw in his limited early action last year. The starting O-line struggled to get lanes available against the Bengals second unit – again, the lack of the threat of Richardson or Taylor running made normally useful holes a non-factor. Mitchell really did get a lot of looks while on the field and might be a nice fantasy sleeper for your bench - with more value in best-ball leagues for burst scoring, due to his red zone and deep strike potential

The defense was solid but unspectacular, with a few bright spots. Rookie top pick DE Laiatu Latu got his first sack and was making his presence felt on the rush. Some of the key backups continued to make plays and will likely keep a lot of the unknown fringe guys from making the team – I suspect the team will basically be running back the guys they ran with last year, plus the drafted rookies.Second-year DT AdetomiwaAdebawore has made a case to be in the deep front-four rotation by making impact plays. Similarly, S Ronnie Harrison seemed to have wrapped up the 4^th safety role with some impact plays and may challenge S Rodney Thomas for the primary backup role.

INJURIES: Snake-bit TE Jelani Woods is out for at least four months after undergoing surgery for a turf toe injury. Woods also missed all of 2023 with a hamstring issue after a promising (but limited) start as a rookie in 2022. Primary backup RB Trey Sermon has not practiced much of camp and has yet to see game action with a hamstring injury. Slot WR and primary return man WR Josh Downs has been in a boot and on a scooter throughout all of camp and is doubtful (at best ) for the opener, cracking the door for rookie WR Anthony Gould to get extended reps as a returner and in the slot. Starting CB JuJu Brents suffered a nose injury in practice on Tuesday and was held out of the game this week, but it is not expected to jeopardize his availability for week 1. Veteran DT Raekwon Davis was activated from the non-football injury list (illness), and should return to practice this week; his roster spot and significant role in the line rotation is not in jeopardy, but his full and rapid return may shift the end of the roster from a 9^th lineman to some other position. A couple of backup offensive lineman that were questionable to make the final cut were placed on reserve (OC Ryan Coll) or released-injured (OG Josh Sills)

ROSTER: The battle for the corner rotation is still going and there may be a revolving door in there aside from stud CB Kenny Moore in the slot – it does look like the young guys will be the backups (rookies CB Micah Abraham and CB Jaylin Simpson). The tight end rotation will be a 4-headed monster, likely led statistically by TE Mo Alie Cox but without fantasy roster appeal. RB Evan Hull looked slow and pedestrian, but may still make the roster as the #3 or #4 due to his pass-catching prowess and the injury to true #2 RB Trey Sermon. But if a viable guy like RB Samaje Perine (rumored to be a cap casualty in Denver) is available, he might become an afterthought.

I believe Jason Bean’s relative arm superiority will push out QB Sam Ehlinger for the 3rd quarterback slot, as well as his similarity in style to the starter -- although it is not yet clear if the team will carry three passers. Bean will likely be easier to get onto the practice squad than Ehlinger, without any pro experience. The big plus for Ehlinger was his moxie and intangibles, which Bean also exudes in a more athletic package.

OTHER: Jonathan Taylor is the biggest NFL star (as of now) that will be wearing the new guardian cap on his helmet in the regular season. He has reported that he does not notice any difference, so maybe more will follow. The curious thing to me is this: is he just being cautious and choosing to protect his career and his later years? Or had he suffered earlier unreported concussions (perhaps even in college or high school), making him more susceptible to greater damage?

That is all for August from the Crossroads of America. I will be back in early September to preview the rare-week 1 home game as the Colts seek to start out with a bang as presumptive AFC South champion Houston – also seeking revenge for the last-second, season-ending loss which bumped Indy from the playoffs in 2023. Until then friends…good luck in your fantasy drafts (live draft day is the best day of the fantasy season)!!

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