The Indianapolis Colts will play their first of three meaningless games against the New England Patriots, but only the score truly lacks meaning. For players trying to earn roster spots, the game is exceedingly important.
This is part of the fun for fans watching the game, though it might not be as enjoyable to players trying to prove they deserve to keep getting paid to play football. For fans, we get to watch as those participating put forth maximum effort to earn a roster spot.
Against the Patriots, Indianapolis will sit many starters. That allows more time for backup roster battles to play out. Other than the kicker competition between Blake Grupe and Spencer Shrader, for positions are worth keeping an eye on in preseason Week 1.
Indianapolis Colts QB2 battle
Starting quarterback Daniel Jones is not going to play against the Patriots. To be fair, he shouldn't play at all in the preseason because risking him to injury is too much of a gamble. He might see limited reps in preseason Week 2, though.
His absence means that Riley Leonard and Anthony Richardson will get most of the snaps, with Easton Stick possibly cleaning up near the end. Richardson is set to start against the Patriots, but Leonard might start, or at least be the first QB in after Jones leaves (if he plays), next week.
Richardson has to show he is more accurate as a passer in the preseason, while also showing he understands where the pressure is coming from. Last year, he injured his finger in the preseason after not having a clue how to read the defense and hitting his hand while throwing a pass.
Leonard is definitely going to make the roster and has three seasons left on his contract. If he can show poise against the New England backups (the Pats aren't going to play a lot of starters either), then he could make his argument to be Daniel Jones' immediate backup.
Indianapolis Colts WR3 battle
Against New England, WR1 Alec Pierce isn't going to play. He has missed camp so far after having ankle surgery in March. His availability is not yet known for Week 1 of the regular season.
WR2 Josh Downs might play some, though if he sits, that would make sense. The team needs to make sure he stays healthy, and he doesn't need the reps.
This means the players fighting to earn the WR3 role could get the majority of snaps, especially early in the game. The list includes veterans Ashton Dulin, Laquon Treadwell, and Anthony Gould, as well as rookie Deion Burks and free agent signee Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. All have had their shining moments in camp, but the Indianapolis Colts need one to emerge as WR3 in the preseason.
Indianapolis Colts inside linebacker battle
The team turned over its off-ball linebacker group this offseason, and thank goodness for it. While the position is devalued in defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo's scheme, the players still need to play the run well and cover running backs and tight ends better than the position has done recently.
General manager Chris Ballard traded Zaire Franklin and hasn't re-signed German Pratt, but Indy took two inside LBs in the first four rounds, including making CJ Allen the team's first selection, and signed Akeem Davis-Gaither in free agency.
Allen might have had a chance at being the first rookie to be the green dot in Anarumo's scheme, but he's missed time in camp with a hamstring injury. Fellow rookie Bryce Boettcher, a fourth-round choice, has looked solid, though. Davis-Gaither played under Anarumo when both were with the Cincinnati Bengals, so ADG knows the defense.
Fans should expect to see many players rotating in during preseason Week 1 because the team hasn't settled on its two starters yet. One might be Allen, of course, but his injury has forced him to miss meaningful reps.
Indianapolis Colts RB2 battle
Jonathan Taylor is obviously going to start and get most of the carries. But the plan is to have him not be used as much as he has in his previous six seasons. That means that whoever his immediate backup is could have an opportunity to make a greater impact than an RB2 has in quite some time.
DJ Giddens likely had the advantage heading into training camp because he has already been with the team for a season. Indy understands that he can pass protect, a key for any running back hoping to get on the field, and Giddens knows Shane Steichen's offense. Giddens isn't a powerful back, though, and the Colts might be looking for that.
If that is the case, Seth McGowan might be Taylor's backup. The Kentucky product is big and strong and has shown bursts of speed at times. He has had an excellent training camp so far. If he stars in the preseason, he could supplant Giddens.
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