Football time has arrived back in the beautiful Midwest as the Indianapolis Colts will play host to the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 1 of the 2026 season. While every team has 53 players on the active roster, only 46 are available for game days. This means seven can't play, but who will that include against Baltimore?
Indy fans already knew that linebacker Austin Ajiake wouldn't play. He was ruled out on Saturday with a hamstring issue. He was limited in practice last week, so hopefully his ailment isn't a long-term problem.
Every other player was good to go for Indianapolis, though. For now, at least, the team is healthy. That means players will be healthy scratches, except for Ajiake. The linebacker's absence could mean more snaps for rookie CJ Allen, though.
Indianapolis Colts inactive players for Week 1 versus the Baltimore Ravens
Wide receiver Alec Pierce, who recently returned to practice after ankle surgery in March, will be involved. The newly cemented WR1 might not play as much in Week 1 as he has in previous seasons, but hopefully that's because the Colts are blowing the Ravens out and Pierce's services are not needed.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Pierce will certainly be limited in Week 1. Still, he should at least play.
Having quarterback Riley Leonard inactive makes sense, though. This leaves a spot open for a player at a different position. The good part is that the NFL allows for a third quarterback, even if initially inactive, to enter the game should the first two quarterbacks on the depth chart get hurt during the game.
Ultimately, let's hope no more Indianapolis Colts get injured in the game. The team suffered far too many injuries in 2025, wrecking a season that was trending toward the team making the playoffs. Win or lose (and, clearly, hopefully win), let's just hope Indy has good health once the game is over.
Kickoff is set for 1 pm ET for the Colts and Ravens. Teams will announce their official inactives list about 11:30 am ET.
The Indianapolis Colts inactives for Week 1 versus the Baltimore Ravens:
- Linebacker Austin Ajiake (previously ruled out with a hamstring injury)
- Cornerback Johnathan Edwards
- Running back DJ Giddens
- Edge rusher George Gumbs Jr.
- Quarterback Riley Leonard
- Guard Dalton Tucker
This article has been updated to reflect those Colts players officially announced as inactive for Week 1.
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