The Indianapolis Colts are entering a make-or-break season. They were one of the hottest teams in the league for the first two months of last season, only to flame out and miss the playoffs again.
Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard can't afford to leave anything to chance anymore, and the same goes for the players. Either because of subpar play, unmet expectations, or both, they must approach training camp as if they weren't a lock to make the roster.
Training camp will give some guys one last chance to prove that they should start, or drive their trade value up to pursue their career elsewhere. With that in mind, we'll talk about the three players who would benefit the most from a clean slate at training camp.
3 Indianapolis Colts who need to get back on track at training camp
Jaylahn Tuimoloau
The Colts had high hopes for Jaylahn Tuimoloau coming out of college. He looked like a potential star and a first-round-caliber talent when the Colts nabbed him, but he didn't do much in limited opportunities as a rookie.
While he wouldn't be the first rookie to struggle early on, the fact that there seems to be an open competition for his starting spot is far from encouraging. As such, he has to make the most of every single rep he gets.
He finished his first year in the league with 17 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one quarterback hit. He missed four games with a groin injury, and now that he's back to full strength and will have another full offseason of work, there's no room for excuses.
Sauce Gardner
Sauce Gardner's case is complex. His starting spot isn't at risk, and he's expected to be one of the most important players on the team. However, after missing a big chunk of the season with an injury, the bar is higher for him.
The Colts jeopardized their future by sending two first-round picks to the New York Jets to get Gardner. Everyone knows what he's capable of, but he'll be held to a higher standard after an underwhelming first half-season in Indianapolis.
Gardner is fully healthy, and Colts fans want to hear positive reports about how he's as quick and aggressive as ever. Soft-tissue injuries tend to linger, and this trade can age like milk if he loses his explosiveness.
Anthony Richardson
Barring an unprecedented turn of events or a string of injuries, Anthony Richardson won't get another chance to be the Indianapolis Colts' starting quarterback. However, that doesn't mean his days in the league are over.
While he may not be a starter anywhere in 2026, training camp can give him one final shot to prove that he's worth the gamble. Even if he's cut instead of traded, a positive camp can make a huge difference in the way he's perceived around the league.
Daniel Jones will most likely be cleared for full contact at some point in training camp, so reps might be scarce for the former first-round pick. Still, the talent and the physical tools are there, and the ball is in his court now.
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