The Indianapolis Colts don't have an easy task in Week 1 because they are challenged with slowing down Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jackson's speed is elite and unique, but his passing accuracy has improved greatly over his career. Allowing him to play against rookies in their first games seems unfair.
Against Indy, Jackson won't be starting the game against any rookie inside linebackers for the Colts, it seems. Instead, defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo is "probably" going with veterans Akeem Davis-Gaither and Jaylon Carlies, according to Jake Arthur of Colts Roundtable.
That doesn't mean Davis-Gaither and Carlies will play the entire game or be able to stop Jackson, though. Maybe no team can truly stop the quarterback. Indianapolis is also expected to rotate its off-ball linebackers, with as many as five players manning the position, including rookies CJ Allen and Bryce Boettcher.
Indianapolis Colts' Lou Anarumo "probably" names the inside linebacker starters for Week 1
But beginning with Davis-Gaither and Carlies is the smart move. They should be slightly calmer than rookies in their first games. At the beginning of the season, all players have a bit of nervousness and anticipation, but at least ADG and Carlies know what to expect.
Carlies has been with the Colts for two seasons already and started six games in 2024. He should be solid in coverage, though his raw statistics when getting linebacker reps in real games don't imply that. In 2024, he allowed 12 completions on 13 targets for 100 yards and a touchdown. The reason that matters is that one reason Indy revamped its inside linebacker corps was poor pass coverage.
Davis-Gaither wasn't a full-time starter in his six-year career ahead of 2026 until he started 13 games for the Arizona Cardinals in 2025. He did play under Lou Anarumo for five seasons when both were with the Cincinnati Bengals, though, so he at least knows the scheme well.
The scary part is that maybe no Indianapolis Colts off-ball linebacker is capable of slowing Lamar Jackson. The team might need to win by trying to outscore the Ravens. At least quarterback Daniel Jones is fully healthy after tearing his Achilles tendon in Week 14 last season, and he gives Indy a real chance to beat maybe any team this coming season.
Akeem Davis-Gaither and Jaylon Carlies have a great opportunity to prove they could be the team's starters this season. If they play well at the beginning of the game and allow Indianapolis to get a lead, they could (and maybe should) cement their spots as the starting duo. Two players need to do that in Week 1 at off-ball linebacker, either way.
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