The Indianapolis Colts kick off their first preseason game of 2026 on Thursday against the New England Patriots. Let's be honest, though. Preseason scores and outcomes don't really matter. A team could go winless and be a playoff team. Or, like the Detroit Lions in 2008, go undefeated in the preseason and not win a game in the regular season.
The biggest key in the preseason is for the most important players to stay healthy. If that means sitting some guys who would never be benched in real games, so be it. In fact, it is better to do that.
After the brutal 2025 season when Indianapolis lost players like Daniel Jones, Sauce Gardner, and DeForest Buckner for several games, the team should take a safe approach in the preseason. That means the following guys shouldn't play a single down.
These Indianapolis Colts shouldn't play a down during the preseason
Quarterback Daniel Jones
Preseason games are ultimately glorified practices, of course. Who wins or loses doesn't matter to anyone other than fans. Even then, how memorable are the outcomes? What will keep Jones efficient is what he does in practice and also joint practices, which help a coaching staff more than preseason games do.
Instead of Jones playing, as he is the clear QB1, all the preseason snaps should go to Riley Leonard and Anthony Richardson. The QB2 battle is a real one and a fun one to watch for fans. Not only will who wins the battle be next up if Jones gets hurt again, but if Richardson is awful, he could be a shocking cut candidate at the end of August.
Defensive lineman DeForest Buckner
Buckner has missed some practices already, but does he really need the practice? Probably not. He is likely already in regular season shape, and after so many years in the league, he understands his role and how to do it well. He is also the Indianapolis Colts' best defensive lineman, and keeping him healthy is a must.
As with Jones, Indy needs to find out who will get the most reps in the rotation behind Buckner and Grover Stewart. Colby Wooden has been terrific through most of camp after coming to Indianapolis in the trade that sent linebacker Zaire Franklin to the Green Bay Packers. Besides him, the group is iffy and needs to prove themselves worthy in the preseason.
Tight end Tyler Warren
The Colts' tight end room is a bunch of guys who can block decently well and then Warren. Not that Warren can't block, of course, but he is a special receiver. In fact, what makes the team trading Michael Pittman Jr. easier to accept is that Warren will factor into the passing game probably even more in his second season.
The team cannot afford for Warren to get hurt in a meaningless game. He knows his spot and what is expected of him. He can catch and run well and doesn't need reps as he did as a rookie. Instead, let his backups earn their spot and let the star take a break.
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