It's a wrap! The Indianapolis Colts closed out the preseason with a 25-16 home loss to the Detroit Lions to fall to 0-2-1. As always, the preseason is about much more than the final score, and this one led to some interesting conclusions.
Some of the rookie defenders look ahead of schedule and might be ready to contribute from day one. Others, like CJ Allen, are still a work in progress. Also, the loss to the Lions highlighted how thin this team's offensive line is, particularly at center.
But even though some players struggled mightily, not all of them were ever in danger of not making the 53-man roster. Unfortunately for them, that's not what these other three struggling roster bubble guys could say, and they chose the absolute worst time to drop the ball.
3 Indianapolis Colts players who may not be back after their preseason dud in Week 3
Rob Carter Jr.
The Colts may have to dig deep in the waiver wire to find some help at cornerback. Sauce Gardner, Justin Walley, and Charvarius Ward can be the best trio in the game, but they all carry injury concerns,
Rob Carter Jr. seemed to be on the outside looking in, but he struggled mightily in this one. He was picked on time and time again in this one, with the Lions marching down the field for two scores with him as the primary defender.
Jaylon Jones wasn't much better, but he's still expected to make the roster, with Cam Taylor-Britt and maybe Jonathan Edwards rounding things up. Again, they're clearly not satisfied with the position after also cutting Mekhi Blackmon.
Easton Stick
Easton Stick was always a long shot to make the roster unless Anthony Richardson Sr. was traded or cut. He got an extended run and even attempted the most passes on the team on Saturday, but watching him complete eight of 15 attempts for 78 yards didn't do much to help his case.
Stick couldn't make the most of one of the most underwhelming quarterback battles in the game. With how poorly Riley Leonard had played and Richardson being Richardson, this looked like the perfect opportunity to throw his name in the hat.
The fourth-stringer is now again on the outside looking in. And while there's still a chance that someone might roll the dice on Richardson, it's hard to envision him as anything more than a practice squad guy at best.
DJ Giddens
DJ Giddens entered the offseason as a roster lock before seventh-round rookie Seth McGowan stormed the field. He's not as powerful and physical as McGowan, and his struggles in pass protection may have cost him a roster spot.
Giddens failed to pick up a blitz and was beaten pretty badly in a play that led to Riley Leonard's interception. Leonard's read and throw could've been better, but Giddens left him on an island as the pressure crept in.
The Colts will give Jonathan Taylor as many touches as he can handle, so playing time was going to be scarce anyway. And with Giddens missing time with an injury and UDFA Ulysses Bentley IV looking like the best option in passing downs, Giddens is now the odd man out.
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