After accidents at essential positions dampened what turned out to be a 9-8 end final season, the Indianapolis Colts return for the 2024 marketing campaign comparatively wholesome and re-energized. Whereas there are few roster holes to talk of, that does not imply there aren’t essential strikes left to make.
With that in thoughts, listed below are three necessary selections the Colts should make earlier than the beginning of the common season.
Making certain that Anthony Richardson is one hundred pc for Week 1
Docs have cleared Richardson for follow following a shoulder harm, which required surgical procedure and lower his first 12 months brief after solely 5 weeks. In the meantime, basic supervisor Chris Ballard has mentioned that the workforce is not anticipating the previous No. 4 total choose to face any “limitations” throughout coaching camp.
Nonetheless, the Colts are in a troublesome spot, as there is a delicate stability between displaying an excessive amount of warning and throwing it to the wind. Ought to Richardson have a setback or be understandably rusty after not taking a significant snap since October 2023, it might put Indianapolis behind the eight ball early.
The beginning of the Colts’ 2024 schedule is difficult, to say the least, starting at house towards C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans earlier than touring to Lambeau Discipline to tackle the Inexperienced Bay Packers, led by the newly topped highest-paid quarterback in NFL historical past, Jordan Love.
Selecting a backup working again
It might sound unimportant, however the Colts ought to be involved in regards to the depth, or lack thereof, behind beginning working again Jonathan Taylor.
Trey Sermon could have the perfect shot at incomes the No. 2 function, particularly since he and head coach Shane Steichen are already acquainted attributable to their shared time with the Philadelphia Eagles. He additionally has the expertise benefit over the remainder of the sector, which incorporates two second-year backs, 2023 fifth-rounder Evan Hull and undrafted free agent Tyler Goodson. Nonetheless, that is not saying a lot, contemplating Sermon has solely 346 speeding yards (78 makes an attempt) and a landing over 25 profession video games, whereas Hull and Goodson have mixed for 87 yards on 13 makes an attempt (seven video games).
Taylor is an unbelievable expertise, but it surely’s onerous to disregard his harm historical past, having performed just one full season throughout his four-year NFL profession. The Colts have left themselves with little to fall again on, and if nobody stands out in camp, they might need to make a transfer forward of Week 1.
Work out free security
Julian Blackmon has one of many two beginning spots locked up, however free security stays up for grabs. Nick Cross and Rodney Thomas are the perfect choices for the function, which could have the Colts looking for an improve.
Thomas began for many of 2023 however struggled, ending with the best yard per reception towards (21.2) amongst safeties who performed 50 % or extra of their workforce’s snaps. Cross acquired the beginning nod over the season’s closing two weeks, however wasn’t overly spectacular, notching 5 tackles whereas incomes a dismal 30.4 grade from Professional Soccer Focus within the Colts season finale towards the Houston Texans.
Ballard mentioned signing a security was “undoubtedly” a chance. However, for now, he and the workforce appear content material to let both Cross or Thomas win the job outright.
