The Indianapolis Colts will begin their preseason training on Sunday afternoon with a away game against the Denver Broncos at Lucas Oil Stadium.
With training camp almost over, there are plenty of storylines, position battles and player overviews to watch in the opening game.
This will also be the highly anticipated debut of first-round pick Laiatu Latu and the rest of the 2024 draft class.
Here are five things to look for in the Colts’ first preseason friendly:
What to look out for in the Colts’ first preseason game
1. The return of Anthony Richardson
The biggest key to the success of the Colts’ 2024 season lies in Anthony Richardson’s development and ability to stay on the field. With Shane Steichen confirming that the starters will play a series or two on Sunday, this will be AR’s first appearance on the field since he left the Week 5 game against the Tennessee Titans last year.
I don’t expect Richardson to play much, but he was on the field for three series in the first preseason game last year, so that’s what we can see. The ideal scenario is for AR to put together two to three solid attacks where the offense moves the ball, puts points on the board, and most importantly, leaves the show unscathed.
2. The debut of the rookie class
Preseason games can be boring, but the only exciting thing about the first game is the debut of the rookies. As I mentioned, all eyes are on Laiatu Latu making his debut in the Horseshoe. However, given Samson Ebukam’s Achilles injury, I would expect it to be a brief appearance for Latu as he has impressed in training camp and the coaching staff wants to get him into the regular season.
Second-round pick Adonai Mitchell should get some solid playing time as Shane Steichen grooms him to be more comfortable in his role. Mitchell can use this opportunity to his advantage as he competes with Alec Pierce for the starting X-receiver spot.
Matt Goncalves and Tanor Bortolini are battling for backup positions on the offensive line. It will be interesting to see where both end up in the lineup when they first take the field.
One rookie who could be a potential X-factor in the regular season is Anthony Gould. As a returner, he could generate excitement with his new kickoff role and the explosive plays he can create for the passing attack. Due to Josh Downs’ ankle injury, he may have to do more than expected early in the season if Downs isn’t ready by the season opener.
Jaylin Simpson and Micah Abraham are expected to spend a lot of time on the field on Sunday. Simpson has performed well in training camp and could earn a role in the rotation in the regular season. Abraham, a sixth-round pick, is aiming for a spot as a backup nickel forward.
One final rookie from the draft to keep an eye on is Jonah Laulu, who will face an uphill battle for a spot on the 53-man roster as he looks for a spot on a deep defensive front.
Jaylon Carlies will likely miss the first preseason game. The rookie linebacker has not yet returned to practice due to a hip injury.
3. Jelani Woods’ first appearance since her rookie season
One player Colts fans haven’t seen on the field since Week 17 of the 2022 season is Jelani Woods. The supremely athletic tight end can provide new momentum in the passing attack this season, but he still has some work to do to earn his role in Shane Steichen’s offense.
Based on the first unofficial roster and recent team practice, Woods is working with the second offensive line. I wouldn’t expect him to play for an extended period of time as the team needs him this season.
Woods can use this first preseason game to shake off the remaining rust and remind the coaching staff what he can do as a playmaker with the ball in his hands when given the opportunity.
4. Nick Cross vs. Rodney Thomas II
The biggest question mark on Indy’s roster remains who will be the starting free safety on opening day. Gus Bradley explained this week that the decision on who will be the starting free safety is not a close one before the first preseason game.
“I think once someone moves forward consistently,” Bradley said. “I think once we feel comfortable that we’re going to go in that direction, we’ll move forward. But I don’t think we’re anywhere near that point right now.”
Cross has been primarily the starting free safety during training camp, but Thomas II has played with the starters this week. Ronnie Harrison Jr. has played free safety, but has played exclusively as a strong safety lately.
Both third-year safeties have a chance to excel in this contest on Sunday. One of them will have to not only excel, but also convince the coaching staff that he is the starter. Otherwise, a veteran like Justin Simmons could be brought in shortly so they can be ready for the season opener.
5. Jaylon Jones vs. Dallis Flowers
With JuJu Brents all but assured of one of the starting spots at boundary cornerback, all eyes are on who will start opposite him between Jaylon Jones and Dallis Flowers. Jones appears to have the edge as he is the player who lines up with the starting defense in practice.
This is Flowers’ first appearance away from the practice field since tearing his Achilles tendon in Week 4 last season. The third-year cornerback wants his spot back in the rankings, and Sunday may give him a chance to make some plays.
Gus Bradley talked about the cornerback competition after practice on Wednesday.
“We’re looking at those three guys and watching them,” Bradley said. “I think (Jones) had a pretty good training camp. … (Flowers), I think we saw him come back despite his injury, he was still about, I don’t know, five or 10 percent away from being him in OTAs, but we feel like that gap is closing now and he’s getting closer to the Dallis we know.”
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