The Indianapolis Colts are almost done with simple training camp. The preseason games begin this week, with the first coming against the New England Patriots on Thursday. That means many presumed backups will have a chance to make a real impact for the team and earn their roster spots.
But camp isn't just for backups, of course. Instead, players who will be starters can further build belief for the team to trust them. Quarterback Daniel Jones was going to be QB1, but his execution in camp has been a highlight for the team. More on that in just a minute.
Other players haven't proven they should make the roster, even while their spots are likely a given. Only 53 players can make the team, and all need to be able to help Indy win and make the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Some have shown that capability in camp, and some haven't so far.
Indianapolis Colts who are crushing training camp (and two that aren't)
Crushing camp: Quarterback Daniel Jones
Not only did Jones return well before Week 1 after tearing his Achilles tendon in Week 14 last season, but he was ready for the start of training camp. He has barely shown that he is coming back from such a brutal injury. That means if the quarterback needs to run to pick up a first down when the real games begin, he should be able to do so easily.
Moreover, he appears to have an even greater grasp on the offense than he did last season, one in which he led the Colts to historic levels in the first half of the season. If he can come close to that form for the entire 2026 season, Indianapolis could shock many pundits and make the playoffs.
Losing ground: Quarterback Anthony Richardson
Richardson has been fairly brutal in camp. Yet, once again, the Colts are giving the quarterback every opportunity to play an important part on the team. He failed as a starter when given the chance in his first two seasons, and now he is in a battle for QB2 with Riley Leonard.
Leonard needs to be Jones' backup. He has three seasons left on his contract, understands his role, and, unlike Richardson, doesn't want to be traded elsewhere. Also unlike Richardson, Leonard hasn't suffered the incomprehensible inability to consistently hold onto the ball after it is snapped to him in training camp.
Crushing camp: Defensive lineman Colby Wooden
When Indianapolis traded linebacker Zaire Franklin this past offseason, Wooden didn't seem to be an impressive player to get in return. He only became a full-time starter in 2025, his third year in the league, and has had just half a sack total. He was more of a run defender and not a true rotational piece.
In Colts camp, however, Wooden has still been good against the run but has also shown an ability to get pressure on the quarterback. He might have found his first good fit in the league in defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo's scheme, and that might pay off for the player and the team in 2026.
Losing ground: Wide receiver Laquon Treadwell
How Treadwell has managed to hang around the league for 10 years after being a first-round bust for the Minnesota Vikings is unclear. He offers nothing as a receiver, and his ability on special teams could be replicated by many players. Yet, he is trending toward spending his third season in Indianapolis.
The offense needs someone to step up to be WR3, but Treadwell hasn't done that in camp. Instead, Ashton Dulin has performed better, and so has free agent acquisition Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. Indy will likely keep Treadwell around because that is what they have done the last two years, but his spot on the depth chart is likely not improving.
Crushing camp: Running back Seth McGowan
A seventh-round steal? So far so good for McGowan in camp. The Indianapolis Colts already knew he was a big and strong back who could get the tough yards, but he has proven that he has nimble feet and speed. He won't start, of course, as that will be Jonathan Taylor, but the rookie could be RB2.
He is the kind of bigger back that the Colts have needed to back up Taylor. If McGowan performs well during the preseason as well as he has in camp, he should cement himself as the long-term RB2.
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